Final Qualification Tournament for Men’s RWC 2027 Set for Dubai in November; 20 Minute Red Cards Approved for Global Trial Including Women’s RWC 2025
A couple of announcements out of World Rugby this week. The men’s RWC 2027 Final Qualifier tournament will be held in Dubai from November 8-18. This is one of those news items that you hope won’t apply to Canada but it may. The Canada men’s XVs team will have 4 opportunities to qualify for the World Cup before that tournament with a win against one of the following countries this summer/fall USA, Japan, Tonga (likely), Chile (likely). Belgium, who Canada will host this summer, have already qualified for the 4 team RWC Qualifier in Dubai in November.
In other World Rugby news the 20 minute Red Card has been approved for Global Trial which includes it being implemented in a couple of tournaments this year, the women’s Rugby World Cup and the Junior World U20 Championship. Both World Rugby media releases are appended below.
Dubai to host final qualifier for Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in November
Dubai (United Arab Emirates) has been selected to host the Final Qualification Tournament for Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027, with the decisive event scheduled to take place from 8–18 November, 2025 at The Sevens Stadium. This final chapter in the qualification journey will determine the 24th and last team to earn their place at the sport’s pinnacle men’s tournament in Australia (1 October-13 November, 2027).
- Final Qualification Tournament to take place in Dubai (UAE) from 8-18 November, 2025 at The Sevens Stadium.
- Four teams to compete across three match-days for the final place to Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia
- Belgium are the first team confirmed with qualifiers due to take place in Africa, South America and the Pacific.
- For the first time, the Men’s Rugby World Cup Draw will take place with all teams known.
- All international tests in 2025 outside of the British and Irish Lions fixtures count towards the World Rugby Men’s Rankings that will determine the Draw’s bands.
Dubai (United Arab Emirates) has been selected to host the Final Qualification Tournament for Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027, with the decisive event scheduled to take place from 8–18 November, 2025 at The Sevens Stadium. This final chapter in the qualification journey will determine the 24th and last team to earn their place at the sport’s pinnacle men’s tournament in Australia (1 October-13 November, 2027).
A total of four teams will compete in a round-robin format across three match-days in the vibrant rugby hub of Dubai. The team finishing top of the standings will secure the final coveted place to Rugby World Cup 2027, completing the line-up for what promises to be the biggest and most inclusive edition of the tournament to date.
Belgium are the first team confirmed to participate in the event, having finished fifth in the Rugby Europe Championship 2025. They will be joined by three more teams still to be determined through ongoing regional qualification pathways: the Rugby Africa Cup 2025, the Asia Rugby Championship 2025, the Sudamérica Rugby Championship, and the Pacific Nations Cup 2025. Representing four continents, the participating teams will reflect the global growth of the game and the increasing competitiveness of emerging rugby nations.
How teams can qualify for the Final Qualification Tournament >>
Rugby World Cup 2027 will kick-off a new era for the sport as the first edition to feature an expanded format with 24 teams, a new round of 16 and increasing the number of matches to 52. This evolution builds on the success and momentum of recent tournaments, creating more opportunities for teams to compete at the highest level, while delivering greater value for fans, broadcasters and partners alike.
For the first time in the in the professional era, the men’s pool draw will take place with all 24 participating teams confirmed. Scheduled for December 2025, the draw will be based on the World Rugby Men’s Rankings at the end of the November international window. This approach ensures a more accurate and up-to-date seeding process and adds significant weight to every international test match played in the remainder of the calendar year.
With the rankings set to determine the banding of teams for the draw, every result between now and December could directly impact the makeup of the six pools of four. Fixtures played during the British and Irish Lions tour – a major event in its own right and a key milestone in a golden decade for rugby in Australia– will not be counted towards the rankings used for Rugby World Cup seeding purposes.
World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson said: “The Final Qualification Tournament is always a thrilling, do-or-die moment in the build-up to Rugby World Cup – and it’s fitting that we bring it to a world-class destination like Dubai. As we head towards the most inclusive and globally representative tournament ever, with 24 teams competing in an expanded format and at least one nation from each of our regional associations, this final step on the ‘Journey to Australia 2027’ will be a celebration of ambition, resilience and the global spirit of rugby. We cannot wait to see which team earns the final place and joins us for what promises to be a unique celebration of rugby and Australia in 2027.”
With the qualification process entering its final stages and excitement continuing to build across all regions, the Final Qualification Tournament in Dubai is set to be a decisive moment on the road to Rugby World Cup 2027 – and a fitting conclusion to the global qualification journey.
20 Minute Red Cards
World Rugby Council moves 20-minute red card to global law trial
The World Rugby Council has today approved the global trial of the 20-minute red card in elite competitions. This decision follows an extensive review of successful closed trials conducted in international and elite club rugby over the past year.
- 20-minute red card to be used in all elite competitions including Women’s Rugby World Cup England 2025 and U20 Championship after the measure was approved for a global law trial
- Global law trial is the final step before any trial law becomes a full law of the game subject to Council approval
- Measure has successfully operated in a number of closed law trials at international and elite club level
- Faster, better aligned, disciplinary process also approved by Council
The World Rugby Council has today approved the global trial of the 20-minute red card in elite competitions. This decision follows an extensive review of successful closed trials conducted in international and elite club rugby over the past year.
The 20-minute red card aims to maintain the spectacle and competitive integrity of elite matches, while upholding rugby’s unwavering commitment to player welfare. The trial will operate in all elite competitions ahead of a final decision on permanent adoption in 2026.
Under this trial, a player who commits foul play that is not deemed deliberate or intentional will receive a red card and be permanently removed from the game. However, their team may return to a full complement after 20 minutes by bringing on one of their available replacements. This ensures that individual players – not the contest as a whole – bear the consequence of reckless actions.
Importantly, referees retain the authority to issue a full and permanent red card for any foul play considered deliberate and highly dangerous. Two yellow cards will constitute a 20 minute red card, unless the second offence meets the threshold for a full red card.
The 20-minute red card will join the suite of global law trials already in effect and will make its Rugby World Cup debut at the women’s event in England this August as well as being used in the U20 Championship in June.
World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson said “Our mission is to ensure rugby is a compelling sport to play and watch. The 20-minute red card preserves the fairness and drama of elite competition by punishing the individual, not the entire team or the spectacle.
“Player welfare is non-negotiable. We monitor data around head injuries, tackle height, and concussion rigorously – and transparently. If evidence ever indicated this trial posed greater risk, we would end it immediately.”
In other measures, World Rugby Council approved a closed trial of a centralised disciplinary process, allowing for quicker and more consistent decision making.
Council also approved a measure so that from 2025, all law trials in the men’s game will begin on 1 August each year, ensuring that all international matches are played under the same set of law and trials regardless of where in the world they are played.