EXPLAINED: Which nations have qualified for 2027 Men's Rugby World Cup in Australia?

Qualification for the tournament began immediately after the 2023 edition in France, with half the field already securing their places automatically. The remaining spots are being contested through a mixture of regional championships, play-offs, and the traditional repechage route, now known as the Final Qualification Tournament.

As in previous editions, the top three teams from each pool at the 2023 Rugby World Cup earned automatic qualification for the next tournament. That process has already locked in rugby’s biggest names, ensuring that the competition in Australia will feature a strong foundation of elite teams.

Among those qualified are the defending 'Bokke-to-Bokke' champions South Africa, alongside their fierce Rugby Championship rivals New Zealand. European heavyweights England, France and Ireland will also return, while Argentina, Fiji, Wales and Scotland all claimed their places thanks to their pool-stage performances. Host nation Australia is guaranteed entry, with the Azzurri of Italy and Japan's Brave Blossoms rounding out the automatic qualifiers.

The expansion to 24 teams has opened new opportunities for emerging rugby nations, and regional tournaments have already confirmed several additional qualifiers. World Rugby have recently welcomed Brazil to the World Cup stage, as the Yaras played only their 17th competitive XVs Test match under the bright lights of the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup competition.

In Europe, the traditional stronghold outside the Six Nations, Georgia continued their impressive run as the continent’s dominant second-tier side, with a continued stronghold upon the Rugby Europe Championship. Georgia have been joined by Portugal, Romania, and Spain from Europe's Tier 2, and have all secured tickets to Australia in 2027.

Africa will also enjoy a stronger presence in the land down under, with Zimbabwe winning the Rugby Africa Cup to join the Springboks on the biggest stage. In Asia, Hong Kong China clinched qualification, ensuring representation from one of rugby’s fastest-developing regions.

The Americas and Pacific regions have also seen early movement. Uruguay, a growing force after strong showings at recent tournaments, will be back once again. They will be joined by Canada and the USA, both bouncing back from the disappointment of missing out in 2023. Meanwhile, Tonga sealed their place to add further Pacific Island pride alongside Fiji.

With 22 of the 24 spots now decided, attention turns to the final qualification battles.

The first remaining place will be determined by a confirmed cross-regional play-off between Samoa and Chile. This high-stakes encounter will pit South America’s rising force against one of the Pacific’s proud rugby nations, with only the winner booking their ticket to Australia.

The last berth will come through the Final Qualification Tournament in late 2025. This repechage-style event will bring together four teams from different regions who narrowly missed out through direct routes. Played as a round-robin, only the winner will progress to Australia as the 24th and final team.

The expansion of the Rugby World Cup to 24 teams is a landmark moment for the sport. It provides greater representation across all continents and offers developing rugby nations the chance to showcase themselves on the biggest stage.

It also creates more high-stakes fixtures in the build-up, with play-offs and the final qualification tournament set to deliver drama before the action kicks off in Australia. For nations like Spain, Hong Kong China, and Zimbabwe, simply qualifying is a statement of progress, while traditional powerhouses must now prepare for the challenge of an even more diverse field.

Automatic qualifiers from RWC 2023 (12)

South Africa, New Zealand, England, Argentina, France, Wales, Fiji, Ireland, Australia, Scotland, Italy, Japan.

Europe (4): Georgia, Portugal, Romania, Spain.

Africa (1): Zimbabwe.

Asia (1): Hong Kong China.

Americas & Pacific (4): Uruguay, Tonga, Canada, USA.

Total confirmed: 22 nations.

Still to be decided:

Winner of the Samoa vs Chile play-off.

Winner of the Final Qualification Tournament (repechage).

Rugby World Cup 2027 is already shaping up to be the most diverse edition in history, with a blend of established giants and ambitious newcomers. With only Samoa, Chile, and the repechage winner left to join the field, the road to Australia is nearly complete. The anticipation will only keep building for the tournament that promises to be rugby’s biggest ever global celebration.