Rugby World Cup 2027: All 24 Teams Qualified and the Stage Set for a Historic Tournament
- Karen Scheepers
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
The countdown is officially on. With all 24 nations now qualified, the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 is locked in and ready to deliver one of the most expansive, competitive, and globally inclusive tournaments in rugby history. Hosted in Australia from 1 October to 13 November 2027, the upcoming World Cup promises a new era for the sport, featuring a refreshed format, more matches, more nations, and a sweeping spread of host cities across the country.
Below is a full breakdown of what fans can expect, how the tournament will work, and how the pools will be decided later this year.
A Bigger, Bolder World Cup with 24 Nations
For the first time, the Rugby World Cup expands from 20 to 24 teams, opening the stage for emerging nations while preserving rugby’s traditional powerhouses.
The qualified nations are:
Tier 1 / Automatic teams:
South Africa, New Zealand, Ireland, England, France, Argentina, Australia, Scotland, Fiji, Italy, Georgia, Japan.
Remaining qualifiers:
Wales, USA, Spain, Chile, Tonga, Uruguay, Canada, Portugal, Romania, Hong Kong China, Zimbabwe, and Samoa.
This expanded lineup means wider global representation and a refreshed competition landscape that will make pool battles more unpredictable than ever before.
Tournament Dates and Structure
The tournament kicks off on 1 October 2027 and runs through to the final on 13 November 2027.
Over the course of 52 matches, the competition will unfold in a newly designed format meant to balance fairness, competitiveness, and player welfare.
Six Pools, 24 Teams, and a Clear Path to the Knockouts
The event will feature six pools (Pools A–F), each containing four teams. Every team will play three pool matches, one against each group opponent.
How Teams Progress
The top two teams in each pool automatically qualify for the knockouts (12 teams).
These are joined by the four best third-placed teams across all six pools, determined by competition points and tie-breakers such as points difference and tries scored.
This creates a Round of 16, the first in Rugby World Cup history.
The Knockout Stages: Round of 16 to the Grand Final
Round of 16
Sixteen teams will battle it out in eight matches. Pool winners face either third-placed teams or runners-up depending on their pool, while runners-up face a mix of top seeds or fellow second-place teams.
Quarter-Finals
The eight R16 winners move into the quarter-finals, where the competition tightens and the margins shrink.
Semi-Finals & Bronze Final
Four teams clash in the semis, with winners advancing to the Rugby World Cup final and losers meeting in the bronze final.
The Final – 13 November 2027
The champions will be crowned at Accor Stadium in Sydney, the grand stage reserved for the closing chapter of the tournament.
Pool Draw: 3 December 2025 – Rankings Will Decide Everything
The pools for Rugby World Cup 2027 have not yet been assigned. Instead, they will be determined during the official draw on 3 December 2025 in Sydney.
How the Draw Will Work
Teams will be seeded based on the World Rugby Men’s Rankings as they stand at the time of the draw.
The 24 teams will be placed into four “bands” of six teams, sorted by ranking.
Each pool will receive one team from each band.
The actual pool placement is done randomly, creating both balance and unpredictability.
Host nation rule:Australia is automatically allocated to Pool A, ensuring the Wallabies will feature in the tournament’s opening match.
This ensures the draw reflects the most current international form while giving every team, whether a favourite or a newcomer, an equal opportunity during the pool allocations.
Seven Host Cities Across Australia
RWC 2027 will be one of the most geographically diverse tournaments ever held in the southern hemisphere.
Matches will be played in seven cities across Australia:
Sydney
Melbourne
Brisbane
Perth
Adelaide
Newcastle
Townsville
Venue Highlights
The opening match will take place at Optus Stadium in Perth.
Accor Stadium in Sydney will host both semi-finals, the bronze final, and the Grand Final.
The remaining cities will host a mix of pool matches and Round of 16 encounters, ensuring nationwide involvement and major tourism impact.
A Tournament Set for High Drama
With an expanded playing field, a modernized format, and a full calendar of 52 matches across seven host cities, the Rugby World Cup 2027 is shaping up to be an unforgettable global event.
The confirmation of all 24 qualified nations marks a major milestone, but the real intrigue begins on 3 December 2025, when the pools are drawn and the pathway to World Cup glory becomes clear.
As the rugby world waits for the matchups, one thing is certain:
Australia 2027 will redefine what a Rugby World Cup looks like.
All image credit: Rugby World Cup
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