ð Share this article Latin American Rugby Union Success Stories Fuel Men's Global Tournament Qualifying Campaign As many supporters in the UK concentrate on club season-opening performances or discuss upcoming autumn internationals, the battle for 2027 Rugby World Cup qualifying continues at full pace. Chile's Remarkable Achievement Chile secured their back-to-back spot at the tournament with a sensational playoff victory over Samoa last month, leaving a single remaining spot up for grabs for the host nation by 2027. At the same time, Paraguay surprised Brazil by twenty points in the first leg of their playoff. The second leg is scheduled on Saturday in JacareÃ, near SÃĢo Paulo, as Brazil's men's team aims to follow the women's achievement and qualify for the first time. Forthcoming Qualification Clash Whether Paraguay completes a surprise aggregate victory, or Brazil bounces back after head coach Emiliano Caffera's recent dismissal, the participants for next month's qualifying event in Dubai will be confirmed. The Namibian team, Belgium, and the Samoan side are already confirmed their places for the Dubai-based showdown from November 8th to 18th. Global Qualifying Developments Many additional nations have also secured their places. Hong Kong China sealed maiden qualification after defeating Korea 70-22 in the summer, and the Zimbabwean squad will make a comeback to the sport's premier tournament for the first occasion since 1991 by virtue of winning the African championship. Chile's Growing Profile The knock-on effect of Chile's playoff success ensures that Los Condores will face Italy for the first occasion in November during the autumn internationals, taking the place of Samoa who must compete in the Dubai tournament. World Rugby's CEO called Chile an "exciting and fast-emerging force" in confirming the upcoming fixture in Genoa. As local the sport markets seek increased attendance, rugby in Chile is thriving. A capacity crowd of over 20,000 witnessed the qualifying win in the coastal city, and head coach the national coach has led the team on an improving path since his appointment in recent years. Manager's Impressive Legacy The 50-year-old former Uruguay international prop has been influencing the game for decades: signed by Bristol in the 1990s, he memorably broke through England defensive line to score at the 2003 Rugby World Cup. His influence as head coach has been equally powerful: Chile have risen to 17th, their highest-ever position. During the last World Cup in Europe, they were beaten in all matches, conceding over two hundred points and scoring twenty-seven, featuring a 71-0 loss to England. However, they confidently found the positives, and following the tournament draw in Australia on 3 December, the coach can start preparations in earnest. They hosted the Scottish team last year, defeated by a significant margin in front of twenty-four thousand supporters, and although they were beaten across both matches by the Uruguayan side in the initial qualifying round, they achieved a narrow away victory in the Uruguayan capital. The Samoan Qualifying Struggle The Samoan team, meanwhile, have not missed every World Cup for decades, but are presently sitting in sixteenth position in the men's rankings. They were winless in this year's regional tournament, leading to qualifying disappointment versus Chile, and the need to meet teams like Belgium brings further difficulty for the proud rugby nation. Competition Format Changes Apart from individual nations' performances, it is worth noting how changed the larger competition will look in 2027. For the first occasion, there will be a knockout stage with six pools of four teams instead of four pools of five. Pool-stage jeopardy is much lower because the four best third-placed sides will additionally qualify. Hosts and Standings Implications The hosts, Australia, are now ranked seventh in the world, meaning they would fall short on top seeding and could face one of the Springboks, the All Blacks, the Irish, the French, England, or the Pumas in Pool A. They could climb into the top six during a busy November, though: the English team, Italy, Ireland, and France are their opponents, with a match against the Japanese team in the capital also planned for 25 October. Wales, on the other hand, are balanced in 12th, with the Japanese side behind, and the consequences of dropping to 13th and into pot three are possibly severe. Americas Presence and Future Events Another new dimension for 2027 is the presence of five teams from the Americas: Argentina, Uruguay, the United States, Canada, and the Chilean squad â with either Paraguay or Brazil potentially making it six. From the governing body's perspective, engagement from the Americas is beneficial, especially with the 2031 tournament set to be hosted by the United States, and the host selection for the 2035 tournament was launched last month. Current Focus For now, though. The second installment of Brazil versus Paraguay prepares a four-way qualifying contest, combined with a potential rankings shake-up throughout Europe in November. No matter the outcome, Chile's qualification for a second Rugby World Cup has already established them as a clear success story.