🔗 Share this article

While numerous fans in the UK concentrate on club early-season performances or debate forthcoming fall test matches, the battle for World Cup 2027 qualifying continues unabated.

Chile's Remarkable Accomplishment

Chile secured their back-to-back appearance at the tournament with a stunning playoff victory over Samoa last month, leaving one remaining spot up for grabs for Australia in two years. At the same time, Paraguay stunned Brazil by twenty points in the opening match of their playoff.

The return match takes place this Saturday in the Brazilian city, near São Paulo, as Brazil's squad attempts to follow their women's achievement and qualify for the first time.

Upcoming Qualifying Showdown

Whether Paraguay manages a surprise aggregate win, or Brazil recovers after head coach their coach's recent dismissal, the participants for November's qualifying event in Dubai will then be finalized. Namibia, the Belgian squad, and Samoa are already confirmed their places for the Middle Eastern competition from November 8th to 18th.

Global Qualifying Updates

Many other nations have likewise secured their places. Hong Kong China achieved first-time qualification following defeating Korea 70-22 in July, while the Zimbabwean squad will return to rugby union's most prestigious stage for the first time since 1991 by virtue of winning the Rugby Africa Cup.

Chile's Rising Profile

The knock-on effect of Chile's qualifying triumph means that Los Condores will face Italy for the first time in November during the fall test series, taking the place of Samoa who are obligated to participate in Dubai.

The global governing body's CEO described Chile an "exciting and fast-emerging force" in confirming the forthcoming fixture in Genoa. As domestic rugby promotional efforts aim for increased attendance, Chilean rugby is buoyant. A capacity crowd of more than twenty thousand saw the qualifying win in Viña del Mar, and head coach Pablo Lemoine has guided the team on an upward trajectory since taking over in 2018.

Manager's Impressive Career

The 50-year-old former Uruguayan forward has been making an impact for many years: recruited by Bristol in the late 90s, he memorably ran straight through the English defensive line to touch down at the 2003 global tournament.

His influence as national coach has been similarly powerful: Chile have climbed to seventeenth place, their highest-ever position. At the last World Cup in France, they were beaten four times, allowing 215 points and registering twenty-seven, featuring a 71-0 loss against England.

However, they confidently took the positives, and following the tournament draw in Australia on December 3rd, Lemoine can begin planning in earnest. They faced Scotland previously, losing by a significant margin in front of twenty-four thousand fans, and while they were defeated across two legs by Uruguay in the first qualifying round, they achieved a narrow away victory in Montevideo.

Samoa's Qualifying Struggle

The Samoan team, meanwhile, have participated in all World Cup since 1991, but are currently sitting in sixteenth position in the men's rankings. They were without a victory in the recent Pacific Nations Cup, leading to qualifying disappointment versus Chile, and the need to face nations such as Belgium brings further challenge for the rugby-loving country.

Tournament Format Changes

Beyond specific teams' fortunes, it is important to consider how changed the larger tournament will appear in 2027. For the first occasion, there will be a knockout stage with six groups of four teams rather than four pools of five. Pool-stage risk is significantly reduced because the four best third-placed sides will additionally qualify.

Hosts and Rankings Implications

The hosts, Australia, are currently ranked seventh in the world, meaning they would miss out on top seeding and could face either the Springboks, the All Blacks, the Irish, France, England, or the Pumas in their group. They could rise into the highest seeds during a packed autumn schedule, though: England, Italy, the Irish squad, and France are their fixtures, with a match against Japan in the capital additionally scheduled for October 25th.

Wales, meanwhile, are balanced in 12th, with Japan behind, and the consequences of falling to thirteenth and into the third seeding group are possibly severe.

Americas Representation and Future Tournaments

Another fresh aspect for the next World Cup is the presence of five nations from the Americas: the Argentine team, the Uruguayan side, the United States, Canada, and Chile – with either Paraguay or Brazil possibly making it six. From the governing body's viewpoint, engagement from the Americas is beneficial, particularly with the 2031 tournament set to be staged by the United States, and the selection process for the 2035 edition was initiated recently.

Current Focus

For now, however. The second installment of Brazil versus Paraguay prepares a four-way qualifying contest, along with a potential standings change across the European nations in the coming month. Regardless of how things pan out, Chile's qualification for a second Rugby World Cup has already established them as a resounding triumphant example.