🔗 Share this article

As many fans in the UK concentrate on their clubs' season-opening fortunes or debate upcoming fall test matches, the contest for World Cup 2027 qualifying continues at full pace.

Chile's Remarkable Accomplishment

Chile secured their back-to-back appearance at the tournament with a sensational qualifying win against Samoa recently, leaving only one remaining spot up for grabs for the host nation in two years. Meanwhile, Paraguay stunned Brazil 39-19 in the opening match of their qualifying series.

The return match is scheduled this Saturday in the Brazilian city, close to São Paulo, while Brazil's squad aims to emulate their women's success and qualify for the first time.

Forthcoming Qualifying Clash

Whether Paraguay manages a shock overall victory, or Brazil recovers following manager Emiliano Caffera's departure, the lineup for November's Dubai qualification tournament will then be finalized. The Namibian team, Belgium, and the Samoan side are already confirmed spots for the Dubai-based showdown from November 8th to 18th.

Global Qualification Updates

Several other nations have also earned their spots. Hong Kong China achieved maiden qualification after defeating Korea 70-22 in July, while the Zimbabwean squad will return to rugby union's premier tournament for the first occasion in over three decades after claiming victory in the African championship.

Chile's Rising Profile

The consequence of Chile's qualifying triumph ensures that Los Condores will play against Italy for the first time next month during the fall test series, taking the place of Samoa who are obligated to compete in Dubai.

World Rugby's chief executive described Chile an "thrilling and rapidly rising force" in confirming the forthcoming fixture in Genoa. As domestic the sport markets aim for larger crowds, Chilean rugby is thriving. A capacity crowd of more than twenty thousand witnessed the playoff victory in Viña del Mar, and head coach the national coach has led the squad on an improving path since taking over in 2018.

Coach's Impressive Legacy

The fifty-year-old ex- Uruguayan prop has been making an impact for decades: signed by Bristol in the 1990s, he famously ran straight through England defense to score at the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

His impact as national coach has been equally significant: Chile have climbed to seventeenth place, their best ranking. During the previous tournament in France, they were defeated in all matches, allowing 215 points and registering twenty-seven, featuring a 71-0 loss to England.

However, they proudly found the positives, and following the 2027 draw in Sydney on December 3rd, Lemoine can start preparations in earnest. They faced the Scottish team last year, losing 52-11 in front of twenty-four thousand fans, and although they were beaten across two legs by Uruguay in the first 2027 playoff, they achieved a 21-18 away victory in the Uruguayan capital.

Samoa's Qualification Challenge

Samoa, meanwhile, have participated in all World Cup since 1991, but are presently sitting in 16th position in the global rankings. They were without a victory in this year's Pacific Nations Cup, leading to qualifying disappointment against Chile, and the requirement to face nations such as Belgium brings additional challenge for the proud rugby nation.

Competition Structural Updates

Apart from individual nations' fortunes, it is worth noting how changed the larger tournament will appear in 2027. For the first occasion, there will be a round of 16 with six groups of four instead of four pools of five teams. Pool-stage jeopardy is significantly reduced because the top four third-place teams will also advance.

Hosts and Standings Implications

The organizers, Australia, are currently placed seventh in the global rankings, which means they would fall short on a top seed and might face either South Africa, the All Blacks, the Irish, the French, the English, or Argentina in Pool A. They may climb into the highest seeds during a packed autumn schedule, though: England, the Italian side, Ireland, and the French team are their fixtures, with a match against Japan in Tokyo additionally scheduled for 25 October.

The Welsh team, meanwhile, are teetering in 12th, with the Japanese side below, and the implications of falling to thirteenth and into pot three are possibly significant.

Americas Presence and Future Events

An additional fresh aspect for 2027 is the presence of five teams from the American continent: the Argentine team, the Uruguayan side, the United States, the Canadian team, and the Chilean squad – with either Paraguay or Brazil potentially becoming the sixth. From the governing body's viewpoint, engagement from the Americas is beneficial, especially with the 2031 tournament scheduled to be hosted by the USA, and the selection process for the 2035 edition was initiated last month.

Immediate Priority

For now, however. The return match of Brazil v Paraguay prepares a four-way Dubai shootout, along with a potential rankings shake-up across the European nations in the coming month. Regardless of how things pan out, Chile's qualification for a second Rugby World Cup has undoubtedly made them as a clear triumphant example.