🔗 Share this article South American Rugby Union Success Stories Fuel Men's Global Tournament Qualification Campaign While numerous fans in the UK concentrate on club season-opening performances or debate forthcoming fall test matches, the contest for World Cup 2027 qualification continues unabated. Chile's Remarkable Accomplishment Chile earned their second consecutive spot at the tournament with a sensational qualifying win over Samoa recently, leaving a single remaining spot up for grabs for Australia in two years. At the same time, Paraguay stunned Brazil 39-19 in the first leg 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 Regardless of Paraguay manages a surprise aggregate victory, or Brazil bounces back after head coach Emiliano Caffera's departure, the lineup for November's Dubai qualification tournament will then be finalized. The Namibian team, Belgium, and the Samoan side have already secured spots for the Middle Eastern competition from 8-18 November. Worldwide Qualification Developments Several additional teams have likewise earned their places. Hong Kong China sealed first-time qualification following beating Korea 70-22 in the summer, and the Zimbabwean squad will make a comeback to rugby union's most prestigious stage for the first occasion since 1991 by virtue of claiming victory in the Rugby Africa Cup. Chile's Growing Reputation The knock-on effect of Chile's playoff success means that Los Condores will face Italy for the first occasion in November during the autumn internationals, taking the place of Samoa who are obligated to compete in Dubai. The global governing body's chief executive described Chile an "exciting and fast-emerging force" in announcing the forthcoming match in the Italian city. While local rugby promotional efforts seek larger crowds, rugby in Chile is buoyant. A sell-out audience of more than twenty thousand saw the qualifying win in the coastal city, and head coach Pablo Lemoine has led the team on an upward trajectory since taking over in recent years. Coach's Impressive Career The 50-year-old ex- Uruguayan forward has been influencing the game for decades: recruited by Bristol in the 1990s, he famously ran straight through the English defensive line to score at the 2003 global tournament. His influence as national coach has been equally significant: Chile have risen to 17th, their highest-ever position. At the last World Cup in France, they were beaten four times, allowing 215 points and registering twenty-seven, featuring a 71-0 defeat to England. However, they proudly took the positive aspects, and after the 2027 draw in Sydney on December 3rd, Lemoine can begin planning seriously. They hosted the Scottish team last year, defeated by a significant margin in front of twenty-four thousand fans, and while they were defeated over two legs by the Uruguayan side in the first qualifying round, they managed a 21-18 win on the road in the Uruguayan capital. The Samoan Qualification Struggle Samoa, in contrast, have participated in all Rugby World Cup for decades, but are presently sitting in sixteenth position in the men's rankings. They were winless in the recent Pacific Nations Cup, resulting in playoff misery versus Chile, and the need to meet nations such as Belgium adds additional difficulty for the proud rugby nation. Tournament Format Changes Beyond individual nations' fortunes, it is important to consider how changed the larger competition will look in the next edition. For the first occasion, there will be a knockout stage with six pools of four instead of four groups of five. Pool-stage jeopardy is much lower because the four best third-placed teams will also advance. Hosts and Rankings Consequences The hosts, Australia, are currently placed seventh in the global rankings, meaning they would miss out on a top seed and could face one of South Africa, New Zealand, Ireland, France, the English, or the Pumas in Pool A. They may rise into the highest seeds during a busy November, though: England, Italy, the Irish squad, and the French team are their opponents, with a match against Japan in the capital also planned for October 25th. The Welsh team, on the other hand, are teetering in twelfth place, with the Japanese side below, and the consequences of dropping to thirteenth and into the third seeding group are potentially severe. American Presence and Future Events Another new dimension for 2027 is the presence of five teams from the American continent: Argentina, Uruguay, the United States, Canada, and the Chilean squad – with Paraguay or Brazil potentially becoming the sixth. From World Rugby's perspective, American interest is positive, particularly with the 2031 tournament scheduled to be staged by the United States, and the host selection for the 2035 tournament was initiated recently. Immediate Focus First things first, however. The return match of Brazil v Paraguay prepares a four-team qualifying contest, along with a possible rankings shake-up throughout Europe in the coming month. No matter the outcome, Chile's successful qualification for a second Rugby World Cup has already made them as a clear triumphant example.