Rugby CHANGES: 24-TEAM World Cup and TWO NEW international competitions

The goal of World Rugby is to increase “global competitiveness” and attract new fans, especially in the United States. Remember all the details.

The world rugby announced the Australia World Cup 2027to be held from October 1 to November 13There will be 24 teams instead of the current 20waiting for the final between New Zealand and South Africa, both with three titles.

The next World Cups will have six groups of four teams (and not four of five)with a new round of 16 rounds. At that point the first two in each zone and the four best third parties.

This architecture will allow reduce the duration of the tournament from the current seven weeks to sixat the same time respecting the minimum rest period of the players that existed in the current World Cup in France, explained the world rugby.

Besides, The group draw will be made “as late as possible to better reflect the competitiveness” of the teams. This decision comes after the criticism received on the current edition, which is still ongoing, since it was made in December 2020.

This means that, according to the levels of 2023, two highly competitive groups are defined, A and B, while B and C are more accessible. Thus, two of the best teams in the world according to the current ranking, France and Ireland, fell in the quarterfinals.

“If we want to become a truly global sport, we must develop more relevance, opportunity and competitiveness to attract new fans“, he pointed out Bill Beaumontpresident of world rugby.

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Two new competitions

One of the tournaments It will be played every two years starting in 2026 and gather the 10 best teams in the world etc two guests. The matches will be played at July (southern hemisphere) and November (northern hemisphere) windows.with a grand final between the champion of each hemisphere last month.

There will also be a second division of this competitionwith others 12 teamsand Starting in 2030, a system of promotions and relegations is planned to prevent it from becoming a closed league.

On the other hand, the authorities presented the Pacific Nations Cupthat to be played annually from 2024 with the United States, Canada, Fiji, Japan, Samoa and Tonga as participants.

The purpose of the contest is “increase global competitiveness“rugby and attract new fans Facing the Australia World Cup 2027 and in that of United States of 2031in a movement that does not hide World Rugby aims to try to establish the sport in the North American market.

This competition It is played every year between August and September, with two groups of three teamsone for generated by USA, Canada and Japan and the one for three island countries in the South Pacific.