🔗 Share this article Latin American Rugby Success Stories Drive Men's World Cup Qualifying Campaign As numerous fans in the UK focus on their clubs' early-season performances or debate forthcoming fall test matches, the battle for World Cup 2027 qualifying rages on at full pace. Chile's Historic Accomplishment Chile secured their back-to-back appearance at the tournament with a sensational qualifying win against Samoa recently, leaving one remaining spot to be claimed for the host nation by 2027. Meanwhile, the Paraguayan side stunned Brazil 39-19 in the first leg of their qualifying series. The second leg takes place on Saturday in the Brazilian city, near São Paulo, while Brazil's men's team aims to follow their women's achievement and qualify for the first occasion. Upcoming Qualifying Showdown Whether Paraguay completes a surprise aggregate win, or Brazil bounces back after head coach Emiliano Caffera's recent dismissal, the participants for next month's qualifying event in Dubai will then be finalized. Namibia, Belgium, and Samoa are already confirmed their places for the Dubai-based competition from 8-18 November. Global Qualifying Developments Many other nations have also secured their spots. The Hong Kong China team achieved first-time qualification after beating Korea 70-22 in the summer, and Zimbabwe will return to rugby union's premier tournament for the first occasion in over three decades after claiming victory in the Rugby Africa Cup. Chile's Rising Profile The consequence of Chile's playoff success ensures that Los Condores will play against Italy for the first occasion in November during the autumn internationals, replacing 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 fixture in Genoa. While local rugby promotional efforts aim for larger crowds, Chilean rugby is thriving. A capacity crowd of more than twenty thousand saw the qualifying win in the coastal city, and head coach the national coach has led the squad on an improving path since his appointment in recent years. Coach's Impressive Legacy The 50-year-old ex- Uruguayan forward has been making an impact for many years: recruited by Bristol in the 1990s, he memorably broke through England defensive line to score at the 2003 Rugby World Cup. His influence as head coach has been equally significant: Chile have risen to seventeenth place, their highest-ever position. At the last tournament in Europe, they were beaten four times, allowing 215 points and registering 27, including a 71-0 defeat to the English team. Nevertheless, they proudly found the positives, and after the 2027 draw in Australia on 3 December, the coach can begin planning seriously. They hosted Scotland previously, defeated 52-11 in front of 24,000 supporters, and although they were defeated over both matches by Uruguay in the first 2027 playoff, they managed a 21-18 away victory in the Uruguayan capital. The Samoan Qualifying Struggle The Samoan team, in contrast, have participated in all World Cup for decades, but are currently languishing in sixteenth place in the global rankings. They were without a victory in this year's Pacific Nations Cup, leading to playoff misery against Chile, and the requirement to meet nations such as Belgium brings further challenge for the rugby-loving country. Tournament Format Changes Beyond specific teams' performances, it is worth noting how changed the larger tournament will look in the next edition. For the first time, there will be a knockout stage with six pools of four teams instead of four pools of five. Pool-stage jeopardy is significantly reduced because the four best third-placed sides will also advance. Host Nation and Rankings Implications The organizers, Australia, are currently ranked seventh in the world, meaning they would fall short on a top seed and could face either the Springboks, New Zealand, the Irish, France, the English, or Argentina in Pool A. They may rise into the top six during a busy November, though: England, Italy, the Irish squad, and France are their fixtures, with a match against Japan in the capital additionally planned for 25 October. The Welsh team, on the other hand, are balanced in twelfth place, with Japan below, and the consequences of falling to thirteenth and into the third seeding group are possibly severe. American Presence and Upcoming Tournaments An additional new dimension for the next World Cup is the participation of five teams from the American continent: the Argentine team, Uruguay, the United States, Canada, and Chile – with Paraguay or Brazil potentially becoming the sixth. From World Rugby's perspective, American interest is positive, especially with the 2031 World Cup set to be hosted by the USA, and the host selection for the 2035 edition was initiated recently. Current Priority First things first, though. The return match of Brazil v Paraguay prepares a four-team qualifying contest, along with a potential rankings shake-up across Europe in the coming month. Regardless of the outcome, Chile's qualification for a second Rugby World Cup has undoubtedly made them as a clear success story.