🔗 Share this article

As many fans in the UK concentrate on their clubs' early-season performances or discuss upcoming fall test matches, the battle for World Cup 2027 qualification continues at full pace.

Chile's Historic Achievement

Chile secured their back-to-back spot at the competition with a sensational qualifying win over Samoa recently, leaving only one remaining spot up for grabs for Australia in two years. At the same time, Paraguay surprised Brazil 39-19 in the opening match of their playoff.

The return match is scheduled on Saturday in the Brazilian city, near São Paulo, as Brazil's men's team aims to emulate their women's achievement and secure qualification for the first time.

Upcoming Qualification Showdown

Regardless of Paraguay completes a shock overall win, or Brazil bounces back following manager Emiliano Caffera's recent dismissal, the participants for November's Dubai qualification tournament will then be finalized. Namibia, Belgium, and the Samoan side are already confirmed their places for the Middle Eastern showdown from 8-18 November.

Global Qualification Developments

Many other nations have also earned their spots. Hong Kong China sealed first-time qualification following beating Korea 70-22 in July, while Zimbabwe will make a comeback to the sport's most prestigious stage for the first occasion since 1991 after claiming victory in the African championship.

Chile's Growing Reputation

The consequence of Chile's qualifying triumph means that Los Condores will face Italy for the first occasion next month during the fall test series, replacing Samoa who are obligated to compete in the Dubai tournament.

The global governing body's CEO called Chile an "thrilling and rapidly rising force" in confirming the forthcoming match in Genoa. While local rugby markets aim for larger crowds, rugby in Chile is buoyant. A capacity crowd of over 20,000 saw the qualifying win in the coastal city, and manager the national coach has led the squad on an upward trajectory since his appointment in recent years.

Manager's Notable Career

The fifty-year-old ex- Uruguayan forward has been making an impact for many years: signed by the English club in the late 90s, he memorably ran straight through the English defense to score at the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

His impact as head coach has been similarly significant: Chile have climbed to seventeenth place, their highest-ever ranking. During the last World Cup in France, they were defeated in all matches, allowing over two hundred points and scoring 27, including a 71-0 defeat to England.

However, they confidently took the positive aspects, and after the 2027 draw in Australia on December 3rd, the coach can start preparations in earnest. They hosted the Scottish team last year, losing by a significant margin before 24,000 fans, and while they were defeated over two legs by the Uruguayan side in the initial 2027 playoff, they managed a narrow win on the road in Montevideo.

The Samoan Qualifying Challenge

Samoa, in contrast, have participated in every Rugby World Cup for decades, but are currently languishing in sixteenth position in the men's rankings. They were without a victory in this year's Pacific Nations Cup, leading to playoff misery versus Chile, and the requirement to meet teams like Belgium adds further challenge for the rugby-loving country.

Competition Structural Updates

Beyond specific teams' fortunes, it is worth noting how changed the expanded competition will look in the next edition. For the first time, there will be a round of 16 with six pools of four instead of four groups of five. Pool-stage jeopardy is significantly reduced because the four best third-placed teams will additionally qualify.

Host Nation and Standings Consequences

The organizers, Australia, are currently placed seventh in the world, which means they would fall short on a top seed and might face either South Africa, New Zealand, Ireland, the French, the English, or Argentina in Pool A. They may climb into the highest seeds during a busy November, however: England, Italy, Ireland, and France are their fixtures, with a game against Japan in the capital also planned for October 25th.

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

American Presence and Upcoming Tournaments

An additional new dimension for 2027 is the participation of five nations from the Americas: the Argentine team, Uruguay, USA, the Canadian team, and the Chilean squad – with Paraguay or Brazil potentially making it six. From World Rugby's perspective, American interest is beneficial, particularly with the 2031 World Cup set to be staged by the United States, and the selection process for the 2035 tournament was launched recently.

Current Priority

First things first, though. The second installment of Brazil versus Paraguay sets up a four-way Dubai shootout, along with a possible rankings shake-up throughout Europe in the coming month. Regardless of how things pan out, Chile's successful qualification for a second consecutive World Cup has undoubtedly established them as a clear success story.