Expansion.

World Rugby has announced a massive change ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia that is sure to be met with a mixed response.

24 teams will compete at the 2027 Rugby World Cup, up from the usual 20 nations, in a seismic change to the tournament.

With 12 teams – France, New Zealand, Italy, Ireland, Champions South Africa, Scotland, Wales, Fiji, Australia, England, Argentina, and Japan – having qualified directly by finishing in the top three in their pool at France 2023, 12 teams will be determined via the RWC 2027 global qualification process.

With all six regions having at least one direct qualifying spot, the new process features a blend of existing regional competitions, a pathway through the new Pacific Nations Cup, a cross-continental play-off, and one final qualification tournament.

In each region, teams will qualify as follows:

• Europe (4) – Rugby Europe Championship 2025 top four teams
• Africa (1) – Rugby Africa Cup 2025 champions
• Asia (1) – Asia Rugby Men’s Championship 2025 champions
• South America (1) – Sudamerica Rugby Championship 2025 champions
• Pacific (3) – Pacific Nations Cup 2025 top three teams (minus Fiji and Japan already qualified)
• South America / Pacific Play-off (1) – Sudamerica Rugby Championship 2025 runners up against Pacific Nations Cup’s bottom team (excluding qualified teams)
• Final Qualification Tournament (1)

The Final Qualification Tournament will comprise one pool of four teams, playing in round-robin format with the winner on competition points after playing all other teams qualifying for Australia 2027. The four teams will be from:

• Sudamerica Rugby Championship 2025 third
• South America / Pacific Play-off loser
• Rugby Europe Championship 2025 fifth
• Africa / Asia Play-off winner (Rugby Africa Championship 2025 runner-up v Asia Rugby Championship runner-up)

With all qualification set to be concluded by the end of 2025, a first for Men’s Rugby World Cups, all teams will be known before the Rugby World Cup 2027 Draw takes place ahead of the Men’s Six Nations 2026.