🔗 Share this article

While numerous fans in the UK concentrate on their clubs' early-season fortunes or discuss forthcoming fall test matches, the battle for World Cup 2027 qualifying continues unabated.

Chile's Remarkable Accomplishment

Chile earned their second consecutive appearance at the competition with a sensational playoff victory over Samoa last month, leaving one place left to be claimed for Australia by 2027. At the same time, Paraguay surprised Brazil 39-19 in the first leg of their qualifying series.

The second leg takes place this Saturday in the Brazilian city, close to São Paulo, as Brazil's squad attempts to follow their women's success and qualify for the first occasion.

Forthcoming Qualification Clash

Regardless of Paraguay manages a shock overall victory, or Brazil bounces back after manager Emiliano Caffera's departure, the participants for next month's Dubai qualification tournament will be confirmed. The Namibian team, Belgium, and Samoa are already confirmed spots for the Dubai-based showdown from 8-18 November.

Worldwide Qualification Updates

Many additional nations have likewise earned their places. The Hong Kong China team sealed first-time World Cup entry following beating Korea by a large margin in July, while Zimbabwe will make a comeback to rugby union's premier tournament for the first time since 1991 by virtue of claiming victory in the Rugby Africa Cup.

Chile's Rising Reputation

The knock-on effect of Chile's qualifying triumph ensures that Los Condores will face Italy for the first occasion in November during the fall test series, replacing Samoa who must compete in the Dubai tournament.

World Rugby's chief executive described Chile an "exciting and rapidly rising power" in confirming the upcoming fixture in the Italian city. While domestic the sport markets aim for increased attendance, Chilean rugby is buoyant. A sell-out audience of more than twenty thousand witnessed the qualifying win in Viña del Mar, and head coach Pablo Lemoine has led the team on an upward trajectory since taking over in 2018.

Coach's Notable Career

The 50-year-old former Uruguay international forward has been influencing the game for many years: recruited by Bristol in the 1990s, he famously ran straight through England defensive line to score at the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

His impact as national coach has been similarly significant: Chile have risen to 17th, their highest-ever position. At the previous World Cup in Europe, they were beaten four times, allowing 215 points and registering 27, including a 71-0 defeat to England.

However, they confidently took the positives, and following the tournament draw in Sydney on 3 December, Lemoine can start preparations seriously. They faced the Scottish team previously, losing by a significant margin before 24,000 supporters, and although they were defeated across two legs by Uruguay in the initial qualifying round, they managed a 21-18 win on the road in the Uruguayan capital.

The Samoan Qualifying Challenge

The Samoan team, meanwhile, have not missed all Rugby World Cup since 1991, but are presently sitting in sixteenth place in the men's rankings. They were without a victory in this year's Pacific Nations Cup, resulting in playoff misery against Chile, and the requirement to meet nations such as Belgium adds further difficulty for the proud rugby nation.

Tournament Format Changes

Beyond specific teams' fortunes, it is worth noting how different the larger tournament will appear in the next edition. For the first occasion, there will be a knockout stage with six pools of four teams rather than four pools of five. Group phase risk is much lower because the top four third-placed sides will also qualify.

Hosts and Rankings Consequences

The organizers, the Australian team, are now placed seventh in the global rankings, which means they would miss out on top seeding and could meet one of South Africa, New Zealand, the Irish, France, England, or Argentina in their group. They could climb into the top six during a packed autumn schedule, though: England, Italy, Ireland, and the French team are their fixtures, with a match versus the Japanese team in Tokyo additionally planned for 25 October.

Wales, on the other hand, are balanced in twelfth place, with the Japanese side below, and the implications of falling to thirteenth and into the third seeding group are possibly severe.

Americas Presence and Upcoming Events

An additional fresh aspect for 2027 is the presence of five nations from the American continent: the Argentine team, Uruguay, the United States, the Canadian team, and the Chilean squad – with Paraguay or Brazil potentially making it six. From the governing body's perspective, American interest is positive, especially with the 2031 World Cup scheduled to be staged by the United States, and the host selection for the 2035 edition was initiated last month.

Immediate Focus

First things first, though. The second installment of Brazil versus Paraguay prepares a four-way qualifying contest, along with a potential rankings shake-up throughout Europe in November. No matter how things pan out, Chile's qualification for a second consecutive World Cup has undoubtedly made them as a clear triumphant example.