Draw for 2027 Rugby World Cup set for December in Australia

The draw for the pool stage of the 2027 Men's Rugby World Cup will take place this December, as confirmed by World Rugby.

The much-anticipated tournament, scheduled to be hosted by Australia from 1 October to 13 November 2027, will feature a historic expansion from 20 to 24 teams, making it the largest Rugby World Cup to date.

For the first time since the competition’s inception, teams will be divided into six pools of four, a shift from the traditional four pools of five.

This new format is expected to bring fresh dynamics to the tournament, with more teams and tighter competition in the early rounds.

So far, 16 teams have secured their spots in the World Cup: reigning two-time champions South Africa, alongside France, New Zealand, Italy, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Fiji, Australia, England, Argentina, Japan, Georgia, Spain, Portugal, and Romania.

These nations will await the outcome of the final qualifying tournament, which will be held in Dubai from 8 to 18 November, to determine the remaining eight participants.

The tournament will open with a match in Perth and will culminate in the final showdown in Sydney.

This west-to-east progression mirrors Australia's aim to showcase its diverse sporting cities while accommodating fans from across the nation and the globe.