World Rugby confirms major Rugby World Cup change ahead of 2027 tournament
Rugby NewsThursday, 10 September 2026 at 09:19
The 2027 Rugby World Cup will look very different to previous editions, with teams already beginning to prepare for the biggest tournament in the competition’s history.
Australia will stage the first-ever 24-team men’s Rugby World Cup, with World Rugby confirming a completely revamped format featuring six pools and an additional knockout round.
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However, despite the expanded tournament, teams are preparing to work with 33-player World Cup squads.
Wales head coach Steve Tandy effectively confirmed the number when explaining his selection for the inaugural Nations Championship.
“We have selected a squad of 33 players for the Nations Championship to mirror what will be required for the world cup in 2027,” Tandy said when announcing his Wales squad.
It means coaches will again have some huge selection decisions to make despite the increased number of countries and knockout matches.
Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus has also referenced having 33 players available when discussing the challenge of navigating the new-look tournament.
Speaking following the World Cup draw, Erasmus said: “We can always intensify the training sessions, because we've got 33 players that all can start for you.”
Huge changes for 2027
The squad situation comes alongside the biggest overhaul of the men's World Cup format in decades.
The competition has expanded from 20 to 24 nations, which have been divided into six pools of four rather than four groups of five.
The top two from every pool qualify for the knockout stages alongside the four best third-placed teams, creating a Round of 16 for the first time.
That means there will be 52 matches, up from 48 in France in 2023.
Despite adding another knockout round, a team reaching the final will still play a maximum of seven matches. Nations now play three pool games rather than four before potentially facing a Round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final and final.
World Rugby has also confirmed a minimum of five rest days between matches, with the entire tournament condensed from the 50 days used in 2023 to 43 days.
The full 52-match schedule has now been confirmed, with the tournament beginning on 1 October 2027 when hosts Australia face Hong Kong China in Perth.
The final will take place at Stadium Australia in Sydney on 13 November.
Rugby World Cup 2027 changes
The expanded format means there will be more knockout rugby than ever before – and potentially far less margin for error for the leading nations.
Every nation’s route to the 2027 Rugby World Cup final – England get dream draw
POOL A
NEW ZEALAND
Pool: Australia, Chile, Hong Kong China
Projected finish: 1st
Round of 16: Best third-place qualifier
Quarter-final: South Africa
Semi-final: France
Final: England, Ireland or Argentina
Round of 16: Best third-place qualifier
Quarter-final: South Africa
Semi-final: France
Final: England, Ireland or Argentina
The All Blacks should progress comfortably, but winning Pool A could actually leave them with a nightmare quarter-final against defending champions South Africa.
AUSTRALIA
Pool: New Zealand, Chile, Hong Kong China
Projected finish: 2nd
Round of 16: Japan
Quarter-final: England
Semi-final: Ireland or Argentina
Final: France, South Africa or New Zealand
Round of 16: Japan
Quarter-final: England
Semi-final: Ireland or Argentina
Final: France, South Africa or New Zealand
Home advantage could make Australia extremely dangerous. Their pool showdown with New Zealand will have huge implications for the rest of their tournament.
CHILE
Pool: New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong China
Projected finish: 3rd
Round of 16: Possible qualification as one of the four best third-place teams
Quarter-final: Dependent on Round of 16 route
Semi-final: Dependent on bracket
Final: Dependent on bracket
Round of 16: Possible qualification as one of the four best third-place teams
Quarter-final: Dependent on Round of 16 route
Semi-final: Dependent on bracket
Final: Dependent on bracket
Chile's first objective will be beating Hong Kong China and then collecting enough points elsewhere to have a chance of reaching the last 16.
HONG KONG CHINA
Pool: New Zealand, Australia, Chile
Projected finish: 4th
Round of 16: Must outperform seeding to qualify
Quarter-final: Dependent on qualification
Semi-final: Dependent on bracket
Final: Dependent on bracket
Round of 16: Must outperform seeding to qualify
Quarter-final: Dependent on qualification
Semi-final: Dependent on bracket
Final: Dependent on bracket
Hong Kong China face a huge challenge on their Rugby World Cup debut, with Australia and New Zealand waiting in Pool A.
POOL B
SOUTH AFRICA
Pool: Italy, Georgia, Romania
Projected finish: 1st
Round of 16: Best third-place qualifier
Quarter-final: New Zealand
Semi-final: France
Final: England, Ireland or Argentina
Round of 16: Best third-place qualifier
Quarter-final: New Zealand
Semi-final: France
Final: England, Ireland or Argentina
There will be no complaints about the Springboks' pool, but their projected knockout route is brutal.
If results follow the seedings, Rassie Erasmus' men could have to beat New Zealand and France just to reach the final.
ITALY
Pool: South Africa, Georgia, Romania
Projected finish: 2nd
Round of 16: England
Quarter-final: Australia or Japan
Semi-final: Ireland or Argentina
Final: South Africa, New Zealand or France
Round of 16: England
Quarter-final: Australia or Japan
Semi-final: Ireland or Argentina
Final: South Africa, New Zealand or France
Italy could be rewarded for finishing second with a daunting Round of 16 clash against England.
GEORGIA
Pool: South Africa, Italy, Romania
Projected finish: 3rd
Round of 16: Ireland if they qualify as expected
Quarter-final: Argentina
Semi-final: England
Final: France, South Africa or New Zealand
Round of 16: Ireland if they qualify as expected
Quarter-final: Argentina
Semi-final: England
Final: France, South Africa or New Zealand
Georgia will fancy their chances of pushing Italy hard for second place. If they instead progress as one of the best third-place nations, World Rugby's example permutations could send them towards Ireland.
ROMANIA
Pool: South Africa, Italy, Georgia
Projected finish: 4th
Round of 16: Must outperform seeding to qualify
Quarter-final: Dependent on qualification
Semi-final: Dependent on bracket
Final: Dependent on bracket
Round of 16: Must outperform seeding to qualify
Quarter-final: Dependent on qualification
Semi-final: Dependent on bracket
Final: Dependent on bracket
Romania will need at least one significant upset to put themselves into serious last-16 contention.
POOL C
ARGENTINA
Pool: Fiji, Spain, Canada
Projected finish: 1st
Round of 16: Best third-place qualifier
Quarter-final: Ireland
Semi-final: England
Final: France, South Africa or New Zealand
Round of 16: Best third-place qualifier
Quarter-final: Ireland
Semi-final: England
Final: France, South Africa or New Zealand
Argentina have one of the trickiest pools of the top seeds because of Fiji.
Win it, though, and a huge quarter-final against Ireland could await.
FIJI
Pool: Argentina, Spain, Canada
Projected finish: 2nd
Round of 16: Wales
Quarter-final: France
Semi-final: South Africa or New Zealand
Final: England, Ireland or Argentina
Round of 16: Wales
Quarter-final: France
Semi-final: South Africa or New Zealand
Final: England, Ireland or Argentina
Fiji's potential path is fascinating.
A likely Round of 16 clash against Wales could be followed by France and then potentially one of South Africa or New Zealand.
SPAIN
Pool: Argentina, Fiji, Canada
Projected finish: 3rd
Round of 16: New Zealand if they qualify in the expected third-place permutation
Quarter-final: South Africa
Semi-final: France
Final: England, Ireland or Argentina
Round of 16: New Zealand if they qualify in the expected third-place permutation
Quarter-final: South Africa
Semi-final: France
Final: England, Ireland or Argentina
Spain have a realistic target of beating Canada and attempting to collect enough points to qualify among the best third-placed teams.
CANADA
Pool: Argentina, Fiji, Spain
Projected finish: 4th
Round of 16: Must outperform seeding to qualify
Quarter-final: Dependent on qualification
Semi-final: Dependent on bracket
Final: Dependent on bracket
Round of 16: Must outperform seeding to qualify
Quarter-final: Dependent on qualification
Semi-final: Dependent on bracket
Final: Dependent on bracket
Canada's meeting with Spain could prove crucial if they are to upset the expected finishing order.
POOL D
IRELAND
Pool: Scotland, Uruguay, Portugal
Projected finish: 1st
Round of 16: Best third-place qualifier
Quarter-final: Argentina
Semi-final: England
Final: France, South Africa or New Zealand
Round of 16: Best third-place qualifier
Quarter-final: Argentina
Semi-final: England
Final: France, South Africa or New Zealand
Ireland could hardly accuse the draw of giving them an easy ride.
Argentina could await in the last eight before a potential semi-final against England.
SCOTLAND
Pool: Ireland, Uruguay, Portugal
Projected finish: 2nd
Round of 16: France
Quarter-final: Fiji or Wales
Semi-final: South Africa or New Zealand
Final: England, Ireland or Argentina
Round of 16: France
Quarter-final: Fiji or Wales
Semi-final: South Africa or New Zealand
Final: England, Ireland or Argentina
Scotland's clash with Ireland could be enormous.
Second place potentially sends them straight into a Round of 16 showdown with France.
URUGUAY
Pool: Ireland, Scotland, Portugal
Projected finish: 3rd
Round of 16: South Africa if they qualify in the expected third-place permutation
Quarter-final: New Zealand
Semi-final: France
Final: England, Ireland or Argentina
Round of 16: South Africa if they qualify in the expected third-place permutation
Quarter-final: New Zealand
Semi-final: France
Final: England, Ireland or Argentina
Uruguay's clash with Portugal could effectively become a shootout for third place and possible qualification.
PORTUGAL
Pool: Ireland, Scotland, Uruguay
Projected finish: 4th
Round of 16: Must outperform seeding to qualify
Quarter-final: Dependent on qualification
Semi-final: Dependent on bracket
Final: Dependent on bracket
Round of 16: Must outperform seeding to qualify
Quarter-final: Dependent on qualification
Semi-final: Dependent on bracket
Final: Dependent on bracket
Portugal were one of the great entertainers of the 2023 tournament and will believe they can upset the projected order.
POOL E
FRANCE
Pool: Japan, USA, Samoa
Projected finish: 1st
Round of 16: Scotland
Quarter-final: Fiji or Wales
Semi-final: South Africa or New Zealand
Final: England, Ireland or Argentina
Round of 16: Scotland
Quarter-final: Fiji or Wales
Semi-final: South Africa or New Zealand
Final: England, Ireland or Argentina
France have arguably the most manageable route of the leading contenders until the semi-finals.
Then things get very serious.
South Africa or New Zealand could stand between Les Bleus and another World Cup final.
JAPAN
Pool: France, USA, Samoa
Projected finish: 2nd
Round of 16: Australia
Quarter-final: England
Semi-final: Ireland or Argentina
Final: France, South Africa or New Zealand
Round of 16: Australia
Quarter-final: England
Semi-final: Ireland or Argentina
Final: France, South Africa or New Zealand
Japan could face hosts Australia in the first knockout round before potentially running into England.
USA
Pool: France, Japan, Samoa
Projected finish: 3rd
Round of 16: Possible best-third qualification; opponent depends on the final combination of qualifiers
Quarter-final: Dependent on Round of 16
Semi-final: Dependent on bracket
Final: Dependent on bracket
Round of 16: Possible best-third qualification; opponent depends on the final combination of qualifiers
Quarter-final: Dependent on Round of 16
Semi-final: Dependent on bracket
Final: Dependent on bracket
USA will have their eyes firmly on the Japan and Samoa matches as they attempt to sneak into the knockout stages.
SAMOA
Pool: France, Japan, USA
Projected finish: 4th
Round of 16: Must outperform seeding to qualify
Quarter-final: Dependent on qualification
Semi-final: Dependent on bracket
Final: Dependent on bracket
Round of 16: Must outperform seeding to qualify
Quarter-final: Dependent on qualification
Semi-final: Dependent on bracket
Final: Dependent on bracket
Samoa will see their meetings with Japan and USA as opportunities to completely overturn the seedings.
POOL F
ENGLAND
Pool: Wales, Tonga, Zimbabwe
Projected finish: 1st
Round of 16: Italy
Quarter-final: Australia or Japan
Semi-final: Ireland or Argentina
Final: France, South Africa or New Zealand
Round of 16: Italy
Quarter-final: Australia or Japan
Semi-final: Ireland or Argentina
Final: France, South Africa or New Zealand
This is where England's draw begins to look particularly inviting.
Winning Pool F would guarantee Borthwick's men a meeting with the runner-up from Pool B, which on seeding would be Italy.
Australia or Japan could then await in the quarter-finals before England encounter their first fellow Band One nation, likely Ireland or Argentina, in the semi-final.
England could therefore reach the World Cup final without playing South Africa, New Zealand or France.
WALES
Pool: England, Tonga, Zimbabwe
Projected finish: 2nd
Round of 16: Fiji
Quarter-final: France
Semi-final: South Africa or New Zealand
Final: England, Ireland or Argentina
Round of 16: Fiji
Quarter-final: France
Semi-final: South Africa or New Zealand
Final: England, Ireland or Argentina
Wales' projected route is considerably tougher.
Assuming they finish behind England, Fiji could await immediately before a potential quarter-final against France.
TONGA
Pool: England, Wales, Zimbabwe
Projected finish: 3rd
Round of 16: Possible best-third qualification; opponent depends on final third-place permutations
Quarter-final: Dependent on Round of 16
Semi-final: Dependent on bracket
Final: Dependent on bracket
Round of 16: Possible best-third qualification; opponent depends on final third-place permutations
Quarter-final: Dependent on Round of 16
Semi-final: Dependent on bracket
Final: Dependent on bracket
Tonga's showdown with Wales could have major implications.
A victory could move them into the top two, while third place may still be enough to reach the knockout stages.
ZIMBABWE
Pool: England, Wales, Tonga
Projected finish: 4th
Round of 16: Must outperform seeding to qualify
Quarter-final: Dependent on qualification
Semi-final: Dependent on bracket
Final: Dependent on bracket
Round of 16: Must outperform seeding to qualify
Quarter-final: Dependent on qualification
Semi-final: Dependent on bracket
Final: Dependent on bracket
Zimbabwe return to the Rugby World Cup for the first time since 1991 and will head into Pool F as the lowest-ranked seed.
Getting the better of Tonga would give them hope of extending their tournament beyond the pool stage.
PROJECTED QUARTER-FINALS
If the tournament follows the seedings, the knockout picture could feature some enormous clashes:
New Zealand v South Africa
France v Fiji
Argentina v Ireland
England v Australia
That would leave projected semi-finals of:
France v South Africa/New Zealand
England v Ireland/Argentina
It is why England may feel they have been handed the biggest opportunity of the leading World Cup contenders.
South Africa and New Zealand could have to eliminate one another before facing France, while England potentially avoid all three until the final.
Quiz: Name these 10 retro rugby players
From jaw-dropping tries to unforgettable moments (and yes, some questionable haircuts), these players defined a golden era of the game. If their names don’t instantly come to mind, we suggest a quick trip to YouTube to jog your memory. Trust us, it’s worth it.
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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