2027 RWC draw in December
World Rugby has confirmed that the draw for the pool stage of the 2027 World Cup in Australia will take place in December.
The tournament will feature 24 teams, rather than 20 as was the case since the 1999 World Cup, divided into six pools of four teams.
Perth will host the opening match and Sydney the final in the event from 1 October to 13 November 2027.
The final qualifying tournament takes place in Dubai from 8 to 18 November.
Sixteen teams have qualified so far – two-time defending champions South Africa, France, New Zealand, Italy, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Fiji, Australia, England, Argentina, Japan, Georgia, Spain, Portugal, and Romania.
The World Rugby rankings will be used to seed teams into bands for the draw.
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World Rugby rankings (Top 10)
1. South Africa 92.78
2. New Zealand 90.36
3. Ireland 89.83
4. France 89.51
5. Argentina 84.97
6. England 84.73
7. Scotland 82.36
8. Australia 81.52
9. Fiji 80.07
10 Italy 77.77
Full rankings
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Photo: World Rugby via Getty Images