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While many supporters in the UK concentrate on club season-opening fortunes or debate forthcoming fall test matches, the contest for 2027 Rugby World Cup qualification continues at full pace.

Chile's Historic Achievement

Chile earned their second consecutive appearance at the tournament with a stunning qualifying win over Samoa last month, leaving only one place left to be claimed for Australia by 2027. At the same time, the Paraguayan side surprised Brazil by twenty points in the first leg of their playoff.

The second leg takes place on Saturday in the Brazilian city, near São Paulo, as Brazil's men's team aims to emulate the women's achievement and secure qualification for the first time.

Upcoming Qualification Clash

Whether Paraguay completes a shock overall win, or Brazil bounces back after head coach their coach's recent dismissal, the participants for November's qualifying event in Dubai will be confirmed. Namibia, the Belgian squad, and the Samoan side have already secured their places for the Middle Eastern competition from 8-18 November.

Global Qualification Updates

Several other nations have likewise earned their spots. The Hong Kong China team achieved first-time qualification following beating Korea 70-22 in the summer, and Zimbabwe will return to rugby union's most prestigious stage for the first time in over three decades by virtue of claiming victory in the Rugby Africa Cup.

Chile's Rising Profile

The consequence of Chile's qualifying triumph means that Los Condores will play against Italy for the first occasion next month during the autumn internationals, taking the place of Samoa who must compete in Dubai.

The global governing body's CEO called Chile an "exciting and fast-emerging power" in confirming the forthcoming match in Genoa. While domestic rugby markets seek larger crowds, rugby in Chile is thriving. A capacity crowd of more than twenty thousand saw the playoff victory in Viña del Mar, and manager Pablo Lemoine has led the squad on an upward trajectory since taking over in recent years.

Manager's Notable Legacy

The fifty-year-old former Uruguayan prop has been making an impact for decades: recruited by the English club in the 1990s, he memorably broke through England defense to touch down at the 2003 global tournament.

His impact as head coach has been equally powerful: Chile have risen to 17th, their best ranking. At the last tournament in Europe, they were defeated in all matches, conceding over two hundred points and scoring twenty-seven, featuring a heavy defeat against the English team.

However, they confidently found the positives, and after the 2027 draw in Australia on 3 December, Lemoine can start preparations seriously. They hosted the Scottish team previously, losing by a significant margin before twenty-four thousand fans, and although they were beaten over two legs by the Uruguayan side in the initial 2027 playoff, they managed a 21-18 win on the road in the Uruguayan capital.

The Samoan Qualification Struggle

Samoa, meanwhile, have participated in all Rugby World Cup for decades, but are presently sitting in 16th position in the men's rankings. They were without a victory in the recent regional tournament, resulting in qualifying disappointment versus Chile, and the need to face nations such as Belgium brings additional challenge for the rugby-loving country.

Competition Structural Updates

Beyond specific teams' performances, it is worth noting how changed the expanded tournament will look in the next edition. For the first time, there will be a knockout stage with six groups of four teams rather than four groups of five. Pool-stage jeopardy is significantly reduced because the four best third-place teams will additionally advance.

Hosts and Rankings Consequences

The organizers, the Australian team, are now placed seventh in the world, which means they would miss out on top seeding and could meet one of South Africa, New Zealand, Ireland, France, England, or the Pumas in Pool A. They could climb into the highest seeds during a busy November, however: England, the Italian side, the Irish squad, and France are their fixtures, with a game against the Japanese team in the capital also scheduled for 25 October.

Wales, meanwhile, are teetering in 12th, with Japan behind, and the consequences of falling to 13th and into the third seeding group are possibly severe.

Americas Presence and Upcoming Tournaments

An additional new dimension for the next World Cup is the participation of five teams from the American continent: the Argentine team, the Uruguayan side, USA, the Canadian team, and the Chilean squad – with either Paraguay or Brazil possibly becoming the sixth. From World Rugby's viewpoint, engagement from the Americas is beneficial, particularly with the 2031 World Cup scheduled to be hosted by the USA, and the selection process for the 2035 edition was initiated last month.

Immediate Priority

First things first, however. The return match of Brazil versus Paraguay sets up a four-way Dubai shootout, combined with a possible rankings shake-up throughout the European nations in the coming month. No matter the outcome, Chile's successful qualification for a second Rugby World Cup has undoubtedly established them as a clear success story.