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While many supporters in the UK focus on club season-opening fortunes or discuss upcoming autumn internationals, the contest for 2027 Rugby World Cup qualification continues unabated.

Chile's Remarkable Accomplishment

Chile earned their back-to-back appearance at the tournament with a sensational qualifying win over Samoa recently, leaving a single place left to be claimed for the host nation in two years. At the same time, Paraguay surprised Brazil 39-19 in the first leg of their playoff.

The second leg takes place this Saturday in the Brazilian city, near São Paulo, while Brazil's squad attempts to follow the women's success and secure qualification for the first time.

Upcoming Qualifying Clash

Whether Paraguay manages a shock overall victory, or Brazil recovers following manager their coach's recent dismissal, the participants for November's qualifying event in Dubai will be confirmed. The Namibian team, the Belgian squad, and the Samoan side have already secured spots for the Middle Eastern competition from 8-18 November.

Global Qualification Developments

Several other nations have also earned their places. Hong Kong China achieved maiden qualification following beating Korea by a large margin in the summer, while the Zimbabwean squad will return to the sport's premier tournament for the first occasion since 1991 after claiming victory in the Rugby Africa Cup.

Chile's Growing Reputation

The knock-on effect of Chile's qualifying triumph ensures that Los Condores will play against Italy for the first occasion in November during the autumn internationals, taking the place of Samoa who are obligated to compete in the Dubai tournament.

World Rugby's CEO described Chile an "thrilling and fast-emerging force" in confirming the upcoming fixture in the Italian city. While domestic the sport promotional efforts seek increased attendance, Chilean rugby is buoyant. A capacity crowd of over 20,000 witnessed the playoff victory in Viña del Mar, and manager the national coach has led the team on an improving path since his appointment in 2018.

Manager's Impressive Career

The fifty-year-old former Uruguay international prop has been making an impact for many years: recruited by Bristol in the late 90s, he famously broke through the English defense to touch down at the 2003 global tournament.

His influence as head coach has been equally significant: Chile have risen to seventeenth place, their highest-ever ranking. At the last World Cup in France, they were beaten four times, allowing over two hundred points and scoring twenty-seven, featuring a 71-0 loss to England.

However, they proudly found the positives, and following the 2027 draw in Sydney on 3 December, the coach can begin planning seriously. They faced Scotland last year, losing by a significant margin before 24,000 supporters, and although they were defeated across two legs by the Uruguayan side in the initial qualifying round, they managed a 21-18 away victory in Montevideo.

The Samoan Qualification Challenge

The Samoan team, meanwhile, have participated in every World Cup for decades, but are presently sitting in 16th position in the men's rankings. They were without a victory in the recent Pacific Nations Cup, leading to playoff misery against Chile, and the requirement to meet teams like Belgium adds additional difficulty for the proud rugby nation.

Competition Format Changes

Beyond individual nations' performances, it is worth noting how changed the expanded tournament will look in 2027. For the first time, there will be a round of 16 with six pools of four teams instead of four pools of five. Group phase risk is much lower because the four best third-placed teams will additionally advance.

Hosts and Rankings Consequences

The organizers, the Australian team, are currently ranked seventh in the world, which means they would fall short on top seeding and could face one of the Springboks, New Zealand, Ireland, the French, the English, or Argentina in their group. They could climb into the top six during a busy November, however: the English team, the Italian side, Ireland, and France are their opponents, with a game versus the Japanese team in the capital additionally planned for 25 October.

Wales, meanwhile, are balanced in 12th, with the Japanese side behind, and the implications of falling to 13th and into pot three are possibly significant.

American Representation and Upcoming Events

An additional fresh aspect for the next World Cup is the presence of five nations from the Americas: Argentina, Uruguay, USA, Canada, and Chile – with Paraguay or Brazil potentially making it six. From the governing body's perspective, engagement from the Americas is positive, particularly with the 2031 tournament scheduled to be hosted by the USA, and the selection process for the 2035 tournament was initiated last month.

Current Focus

For now, however. The return match of Brazil v Paraguay sets up a four-team Dubai shootout, combined with a possible rankings shake-up throughout the European nations in November. Regardless of the outcome, Chile's qualification for a second Rugby World Cup has already established them as a resounding success story.