World Rugby has announced significant changes to the format of the men's Rugby World Cup, set to take place in Australia in 2027. The tournament will see an increase in participating teams, from 20 to 24, with a new qualification process and revised eligibility rules.
Increased Participation and New Qualification Pathway:
The number of teams vying for the Webb Ellis Cup will increase from 20 to 24, offering greater opportunities for nations to showcase their talents on the world stage. Ireland has already secured their place in the tournament, having finished top three in their pool at the 2023 World Cup in France.
The remaining 12 spots will be determined through a comprehensive global qualification process, with each region allocated a specific number of places:
Europe (4): The top four teams in the Rugby Europe Championship 2025 will qualify.
Africa (1): The champions of the Rugby Africa Cup 2025 will secure a place.
Asia (1): The winners of the Asia Rugby Menâs Championship 2025 will be guaranteed entry.
South America (1): The victors of the Sudamerica Rugby Championship 2025 will earn a spot.
Pacific (3): The top three teams in the Pacific Nations Cup 2025, excluding Fiji and Japan who have already qualified, will secure places.
South America/Pacific Play-off (1): The runners-up in the Sudamerica Rugby Championship 2025 will face the bottom team in the Pacific Nations Cup, excluding qualified teams, for a final qualification spot.
Final Qualification Tournament (1): The final spot will be decided through a dedicated tournament.
This new qualification process, set to conclude by the end of 2025, will offer greater certainty for participating nations, allowing them to fine-tune their preparations well ahead of the draw for the 2027 tournament, scheduled to take place before the 2026 Six Nations.
Revised Tournament Format and Shorter Window:
The expanded tournament will feature six pools of four teams, followed by a round of 16 before the quarter-finals. This revised format will allow for a more streamlined tournament schedule, reducing the duration from seven to six weeks. Notably, the minimum rest days between matches will remain consistent with the 2023 tournament.
New Eligibility Rules and Focus on Player Development:
World Rugby has also introduced new national eligibility regulations, effective from August 1, 2024. The previous requirement of 60 months (five years) of unbroken residency in the relevant country has been removed. Now, any player with a "genuine, close, credible and established link" to a union will be eligible to represent them.
The onus will be on the respective unions and rugby bodies to provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate the player's connection and unbroken registration, ensuring a robust process for eligibility determination.
Focus on Growth and Sustainability:
World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont stated that the new qualification process reflects the organisation's commitment to fostering growth and sustainability in the sport. The expanded opportunities, alongside the introduction of the Nations Championship Division 2 in 2026, are designed to provide all participating nations with competitive, high-level preparation, ultimately elevating global standards in rugby.
This significant restructuring of the men's Rugby World Cup is expected to provide a more inclusive and engaging tournament for fans worldwide, while simultaneously promoting the growth and development of the sport on a global scale.