Rugby World Cup 2027 qualifying moves to Asia

After Belgium became the first team to book their place at the 2027 Rugby World Cup repechage in November with last month’s stunning 31-10 victory over the Netherlands, regional qualifying for the tournament in Australia now moves from Europe to Asia this weekend.

Hong Kong China, South Korea and United Arab Emirates and either Malaysia or Sri Lanka, who face each other in a play-off this Saturday, will participate in the top-tier Asia Rugby Championship, from 13 June to 5 July and the winner of that tournament will get a direct ticket to Australia and become the 17th confirmed participant.

Meanwhile, the runners-up will face the second-team from the Africa Cup, which is being played in July,  for the right to play in the repechage (officially known as the Final Qualification Tournament) alongside Belgium and two other teams. The exact date and venue for that tournament has yet to be announced by World Rugby.

RWC 2027 expanding to 24 teams

World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin explains the thinking behind the expansion of RWC 2027 and the qualification process.

RWC 2027 expanding to 24 teams

World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin explains the thinking behind the expansion of RWC 2027 and the qualification process.

Malaysia find themselves in the play-off with Sri Lanka after failing to win a single game and finishing last in the 2024 Asia Rugby Championship, while Sri Lanka, who are known as the Tuskers, earned their shot at World Cup qualification by winning Division 1 in 2024.

The two teams last met in 2017, with Malaysia defeating Sri Lanka 22-9. However, Sri Lanka are currently ranked 40th in the world, 10 places above their opponents.

Aside from the already qualified Japan, Hong Kong China are the highest ranked Asian team in 23rd, although they have now fallen behind Belgium, who moved up the rankings by four places to 22nd, one off their all-time best, after beating the Netherlands to fifth place in the Rugby Europe Championship.

South Korea come next in the rankings in 35th, while the United Arab Emirates are 49th. So if Malaysia were to make it through to the next stage of qualifying, they’d be the lowest-ranked team competing in the Asia Rugby Championship.

None of the Asian teams still in contention for a place at the expanded 2027 World Cup have previously appeared at the tournament.

After Asia, the next qualifier will be known when the Rugby Africa Cup concludes at the end of July. Namibia, as World Cup ever-presents since 1999, will be favourites to make it through, but Zimbabwe, who last competed in the World Cup in 1991, beat them to last year’s title.  Algeria, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Senegal, Uganda and Morocco, who qualified in February, complete the eight-team line-up.

The Sudamerica Rugby Championship also starts in July but it’ll be September before it is known whether Uruguay, Chile, Brazil or Paraguay have taken the new South America 1 slot. The runner-up will qualify for the South America/Pacific Play-off and third placed team will take part in the Final Qualification Tournament.

Confirmed 2027 World Cup qualifiers

Automatic qualifiers (12): Defending champions South Africa, hosts Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Japan, England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales.

Regional qualifiers (4): Georgia, Spain, Romania, Portugal (Europe).

Date of next regional qualifier known: 22 June (final round of Asia Rugby Championship)