Playing at the Rugby World Cup is the dream for almost every rugby player. But some nations have seen that dream ripped away before the tournament even began.
One country was kicked out of qualification twice. Another lost a crucial match despite winning it on the pitch.
And even the mighty Springboks were once shut out of rugby's biggest competition.
From political suspensions to costly eligibility mistakes, the Rugby World Cup has seen its fair share of controversy.
Not every country on this list was formally banned. Some lost their place after breaking the rules, while others were caught up in wider disputes.
Here are nine remarkable cases involving eight nations.
1. South Africa – shut out of two World Cups
It's hard to imagine a Rugby World Cup without the Springboks.
But South Africa missed the first two tournaments in 1987 and 1991.
The country was isolated from international sport because of apartheid, leaving the Springboks unable to take part.
They finally returned to the world stage in 1995.
And they certainly made up for lost time.
South Africa hosted the tournament and famously beat New Zealand in the final to lift the Webb Ellis Cup.
Not a bad way to announce your return.
2. Romania – kicked out of the 2019 World Cup
Romania thought they had booked their place at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Then everything fell apart.
World Rugby found that Romania had fielded an ineligible player during qualification.
The punishment was severe.
Romania were docked 30 points, costing them their automatic qualification place.
Russia benefited from the decision and took their spot at the tournament.
3. Spain – denied a place at the 2019 World Cup
Spain were another nation caught up in the same eligibility scandal.
They received a 40-point deduction after breaking World Rugby's player eligibility rules.
The punishment cost Spain their place in the European qualification play-off.
Germany moved into the play-off spot instead.
For Spanish rugby fans, it was a bitter blow.
Unfortunately, things would get even worse four years later.
4. Belgium – punished in the same scandal
Belgium also found themselves in trouble during qualification for the 2019 World Cup.
They were punished for fielding ineligible players across six qualifying matches.
World Rugby deducted 30 points from their campaign.
Unlike Romania and Spain, Belgium had not secured a place at the tournament or in the play-offs.
Their punishment therefore did not cost them a World Cup appearance.
Still, it was another embarrassing chapter in one of rugby's biggest eligibility scandals.
5. Tahiti – historic victory wiped out
Imagine celebrating a crucial World Cup qualifying victory, only to discover it no longer counts.
That's exactly what happened to Tahiti.
The Pacific island nation beat the Cook Islands 13-9 during qualification for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
But the celebrations didn't last.
World Rugby later discovered Tahiti had fielded two ineligible players.
The result was overturned, and the Cook Islands advanced to the next stage instead.
One of the harshest ways imaginable to lose a World Cup qualifier.
6. Russia – suspended from international rugby
Russia's hopes of reaching the 2023 Rugby World Cup ended away from the pitch.
World Rugby suspended the country from international competition in 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The decision meant Russia could no longer complete its remaining qualifying matches.
Their opponents were awarded points, ending Russia's route to the tournament.
And the suspension has continued to affect their World Cup ambitions.
As RUCK previously reported, Russia and Belarus are also excluded from qualification for the 2027 tournament in Australia.
7. Nigeria – blocked from the qualification process
Nigeria never even got the chance to compete in qualification for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
The country's rugby union had been suspended by Rugby Africa following government interference in its administration.
That meant Nigeria could not enter the regional pre-qualification process.
While other African nations were battling for a place at the tournament, Nigeria were left watching from the sidelines.
8. Spain – kicked out AGAIN in 2023
You would think Spain had learned their lesson after the 2019 controversy.
Apparently not.
Four years later, they suffered another devastating World Cup setback.
Spain had qualified for the 2023 tournament in France and were preparing to return to rugby's biggest stage.
But World Rugby ruled that prop Gavin van den Berg had been ineligible to play in two qualifying matches.
Spain were stripped of their place at the tournament.
Their appeal failed, and Romania were handed the qualification spot instead.
It was the second successive World Cup in which Spain lost their place because of an eligibility breach.
RUCK covered the extraordinary decision when it was announced.
For Spanish supporters, it must have felt like a particularly cruel case of déjà vu.
9. Paraguay – 2027 World Cup dream ends in controversy
The latest case involves Paraguay and the expanded 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Paraguay had reached the final qualification tournament, putting them within touching distance of a historic appearance in Australia.
But their hopes unravelled after an eligibility problem came to light.
The Paraguayan rugby union discovered that an ineligible player had featured against Brazil during qualification.
Rather than continue, Paraguay withdrew from the final qualification tournament.
World Rugby confirmed that Brazil would take their place.
It was a painful end to a campaign that had promised so much.
Could another nation be next?
Player eligibility remains one of the biggest traps in international rugby.
Under World Rugby's Regulation 8, countries must ensure every player meets the rules before representing them.
Get it wrong, and the consequences can be enormous.
Spain have already paid the price twice, while Romania, Tahiti and Paraguay have also seen their World Cup hopes damaged.
And with qualification for future tournaments becoming increasingly competitive, there is little room for mistakes.
Just ask Spain.
They made the same costly error twice. And both times, their World Cup dream ended before the tournament began.
