World Rugby formalized on Tuesday October 24 the expansion of the World Cup, to bring it from twenty to twenty-four teams in 2027, as well as the creation of a new biennial competition organized from 2026, during dedicated periods usually on tours. On the occasion of the next World Cup, organized from October 1 to November 13, 2027 in Australia, 24 teams will be qualified and divided into six groups of four with, as an additional modification, the introduction of the round of 16. Since 2003, the twenty qualified selections have been divided into four groups of five, with the first two in each group advancing directly to the quarter-finals.
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Rugby: a 24-team World Cup in 2027
