RWC 2027 Final Qualification Tournament To Be Hosted by Dubai in November

rugbyasia247 Posted On May 22, 2025

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World Rugby has announced that the Final Qualification Tournament for the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 will be hosted in Dubai from 8–18 November 2025 at The Sevens Stadium.

The tournament will determine the 24th and last team to earn their place at the RWC 2027 men’s tournament in Australia (1 October – 13 November, 2027). The same venue was used to host the final repechage tournament before RWC 2023.

World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson said: “The Final Qualification Tournament is always a thrilling, do-or-die moment in the build-up to Rugby World Cup – and it’s fitting that we bring it to a world-class destination like Dubai.

As we head towards the most inclusive and globally representative tournament ever, with 24 teams competing in an expanded format and at least one nation from each of our regional associations, this final step on the ‘Journey to Australia 2027’ will be a celebration of ambition, resilience and the global spirit of rugby. We cannot wait to see which team earns the final place and joins us for what promises to be a unique celebration of rugby and Australia in 2027.”

RWC 2027 Final Qualification Tournament Format – Dubai, UAE

World Rugby confirmed that a total of four teams will compete in a round-robin format across three match days in Dubai.

From Asia, Hong Kong China, UAE, Korea, and Sri Lanka will compete in the Asian Rugby Men’s Championship 2025 with the winner earning direct qualification to RWC 2027 and the runner-up needing to face and beat the Rugby Africa Cup 2025 Runner-up to secure in place in the final Qualification Tournament.

The team finishing top of the standings will secure the final place in Rugby World Cup 2027.

Belgium have already qualified for the RWC 2027 Final Qualification Tournament after finishing fifth in the Rugby Europe Championship 2025.
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The draw for RWC 2027 will be based on the World Rugby Men’s Rankings at the end of the November 2025 international window. This approach ensures a more accurate and up-to-date seeding process and adds significant weight to every international test match played in the remainder of the calendar year.

All international tests in 2025 outside of the British and Irish Lions fixtures count towards the World Rugby Men’s Rankings that will determine the draw’s bands.