🔗 Share this article

As numerous fans in the UK focus on their clubs' season-opening performances or debate forthcoming fall test matches, the contest for 2027 Rugby World Cup qualifying continues at full pace.

Chile's Remarkable Achievement

Chile secured their second consecutive appearance at the competition with a sensational qualifying win against Samoa recently, leaving only a single remaining spot to be claimed for the host nation by 2027. Meanwhile, Paraguay surprised Brazil 39-19 in the first leg of their qualifying series.

The return match is scheduled this Saturday in the Brazilian city, close to São Paulo, as Brazil's squad attempts to emulate their women's success and secure qualification for the first occasion.

Upcoming Qualifying Showdown

Regardless of Paraguay completes a surprise aggregate win, or Brazil bounces back following manager Emiliano Caffera's departure, the participants for November's qualifying event in Dubai will be confirmed. The Namibian team, the Belgian squad, and Samoa are already confirmed spots for the Middle Eastern competition from 8-18 November.

Global Qualifying Updates

Many other teams have likewise earned their places. The Hong Kong China team achieved first-time World Cup entry following beating Korea 70-22 in July, while Zimbabwe will return to rugby union's most prestigious stage for the first time in over three decades by virtue of claiming victory in the Rugby Africa Cup.

Chile's Rising Profile

The consequence of Chile's playoff success ensures that Los Condores will face Italy for the first occasion in November during the fall test series, taking the place of Samoa who must compete in Dubai.

World Rugby's chief executive called Chile an "exciting and fast-emerging power" in announcing the upcoming match in Genoa. While domestic rugby promotional efforts aim for larger crowds, Chilean rugby is thriving. A capacity crowd of over 20,000 witnessed the playoff victory in the coastal city, and head coach the national coach has led the team on an improving path since taking over in 2018.

Manager's Notable Career

The 50-year-old former Uruguay international forward has been making an impact for many years: signed by Bristol in the 1990s, he memorably ran straight through the English defense to score at the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

His impact as head coach has been similarly powerful: Chile have climbed to seventeenth place, their highest-ever ranking. At the last tournament in France, they were defeated in all matches, conceding 215 points and registering 27, featuring a 71-0 loss against the English team.

However, they confidently found the positives, and after the tournament draw in Australia on 3 December, the coach can start preparations in earnest. They faced Scotland last year, losing by a significant margin before 24,000 supporters, and although they were beaten over two legs by Uruguay in the initial 2027 playoff, they achieved a narrow win on the road in Montevideo.

Samoa's Qualifying Struggle

The Samoan team, in contrast, have not missed all World Cup since 1991, but are currently sitting in 16th place in the global rankings. They were winless in the recent regional tournament, leading to qualifying disappointment versus Chile, and the requirement to meet nations such as Belgium adds further challenge for the proud rugby nation.

Tournament Format Changes

Beyond individual nations' fortunes, it is worth noting how different the expanded tournament will look in the next edition. For the first occasion, there will be a knockout stage with six groups of four rather than four pools of five. Group phase jeopardy is much lower because the four best third-placed teams will additionally qualify.

Hosts and Standings Consequences

The hosts, the Australian team, are now ranked seventh in the world, meaning they would miss out on a top seed and could face one of South Africa, New Zealand, Ireland, France, England, or the Pumas in their group. They could rise into the highest seeds during a busy November, though: England, the Italian side, the Irish squad, and France are their fixtures, with a match versus the Japanese team in Tokyo additionally scheduled for 25 October.

Wales, on the other hand, are teetering in 12th, with the Japanese side below, and the implications of dropping to 13th and into pot three are possibly severe.

American Presence and Upcoming Tournaments

An additional fresh aspect for the next World Cup is the presence of five nations from the American continent: the Argentine team, Uruguay, USA, the Canadian team, and Chile – with either Paraguay or Brazil potentially becoming the sixth. From World Rugby's viewpoint, American interest is beneficial, particularly with the 2031 World Cup scheduled to be hosted by the United States, and the selection process for the 2035 edition was launched recently.

Immediate Focus

For now, however. The second installment of Brazil versus Paraguay sets up a four-team Dubai shootout, along with a potential standings change throughout Europe in the coming month. No matter the outcome, Chile's successful qualification for a second Rugby World Cup has already established them as a clear triumphant example.