World Rugby has confirmed that the preparations for the World Rugby Nations Cup are advancing at pace, with 11 of the 12 teams now confirmed for a competition that will kick-off in 2026 and provide important preparation for unions qualified for an expanded Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia.
- World Rugby Nations Cup to provide unprecedented level of competitive international rugby for teams on the road to Men’s Rugby World Cup Australia 2027
- With performance gains and revenue growth as core pillars, new competition will drive a deeper meaning and narrative to test rugby across the July and November windows
- Eleven of the 12 teams have qualified for the World Rugby Nations Cup courtesy of Rugby World Cup 2027 qualification, with Chile the latest to book their place
- Crossover fixtures with Nations Championship teams to take place in 2027 in the run up to Rugby World Cup and in 2029 during a British and Irish Lions year
World Rugby has confirmed that the preparations for the World Rugby Nations Cup are advancing at pace, with 11 of the 12 teams now confirmed for a competition that will kick-off in 2026 and provide important preparation for unions qualified for an expanded Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia. The final team will be confirmed via the RWC 2027 Final Qualification Tournament, which concludes on 18 November.
A core part of the reimagination of the men’s and women’s international calendar brokered by World Rugby, Unions, Leagues and Players and announced in 2023, the World Rugby Nations Cup is linked to the top-level Nations Championship, It provides unprecedented certainty and clarity of international competition between Rugby World Cups for teams outside of major annual international competitions.
For their debut in 2026, the Nations Championship will feature all Six Nations Rugby teams representing the northern hemisphere (England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Wales) and taking on the SANZAAR nations (Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa) plus two invitational teams (Japan and Fiji), competing on behalf of the southern hemisphere.
Mirroring the top division, the World Rugby Nations Cup will be played across the July and November international windows in 2026 and 2028. In 2027 and 2029 a fixture programme will operate between both divisions and respective unions.
Canada, Chile, Georgia, Hong Kong China, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Tonga, Uruguay, USA and Zimbabwe have all qualified for Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027, securing at the same time their place in the first World Rugby Nations Cup. With 11 teams confirmed, the final spot will go to the winner of the Final Qualification Tournament, taking place in Dubai from 8-18 November, completing the 12-nation line-up.
World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson said: “World Rugby exists to unite people and grow the game through iconic events like the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups, and through strategic investment in programmes that expand rugby’s reach, relevance and impact. The new international calendar, featuring the men’s Nations Championship, World Rugby Nations Cup, and WXV Global Series for the women’s game, is central to that mission.
“Combining with the top-level Nations Championship, the World Rugby Nations Cup provides a strong platform for our performance unions to grow through certainty of test match content competition, competitiveness and commercial revenue for the first time, which in turn will lead to stronger outcomes at Men’s Rugby World Cup, the financial engine that drives the growth of the game from the grassroots up.”
World Rugby will release more details on the Nations Cup pools, match schedule and locations will be unveiled in due course.
Article by World Rugby
