DRAW COMPLETE - Wednesday 3 December 2025

Rugby World Cup 2027 Official Draw Results

Name: Rugby World Cup 2027 Official Draw
Start: 2025-12-03
End: 2025-12-03
Location: Sydney

The historic 24-team tournament pools have been revealed! Australia faces New Zealand in Pool A. Discover all 6 pools, the knockout bracket structure, and the path to the final.

View All Pools Knockout Bracket Tournament Format

Teams Competing

Pools of 4 Teams

Knockout Stage Teams

Total Matches

Official Pool Draw Results

The 24 teams have been drawn into 6 pools of 4 teams each. Each team plays every other team in their pool once.

Pool A

New ZealandFAVOURITE

Australia

Hong Kong China

Chile

Pool B

South AfricaFAVOURITE

Italy

Georgia

Romania

Pool C

ArgentinaFAVOURITE

Fiji

Spain

Canada

Pool D

IrelandFAVOURITE

Scotland

Uruguay

Portugal

Pool E

FranceFAVOURITE

Japan

USA

Samoa

Pool F

EnglandFAVOURITE

Wales

Tonga

Zimbabwe

Key Pool Stage Matchups

Pool A

New Zealand vs Australia

Trans-Tasman Rivalry

Pool D

Ireland vs Scotland

Celtic Clash

Pool F

England vs Wales

Home Nations Derby

Revolutionary 24-Team Format

Rugby World Cup 2027 introduces the biggest format change in tournament history, expanding from 20 to 24 teams with a new knockout structure.

Tournament Structure

1Group Stage: 6 pools of 4 teams (24 matches)

2Round of 16: Top 2 + best 4 third-place (8 matches)

3Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, Final (7 matches)

What's Changed from Previous Tournaments

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Team Count

❌ Was:20 teams

✅ Now:24 teams

More nations, greater global representation

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Pool Structure

❌ Was:4 pools of 5

✅ Now:6 pools of 4

Fewer group stage matches per team

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Knockout Stage

❌ Was:Direct to Quarter-finals

✅ Now:Round of 16 introduced

More knockout drama, similar to football World Cup

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Tournament Duration

❌ Was:44-48 days

✅ Now:43 days

More compact schedule despite extra teams

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Advancement

❌ Was:Top 2 from each pool

✅ Now:Top 2 + best 4 third-place teams

More teams progress to knockout rounds

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Total Matches

❌ Was:48 matches

✅ Now:52 matches

Only 4 additional matches with 4 extra teams

Pool Progression Explained

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Pool Winners

Top team from each of 6 pools automatically advances (6 teams)

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Runners-Up

Second-place team from each of 6 pools advances (6 teams)

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Best Third-Place

The 4 best third-place teams based on points and differentials (4 teams)

Total: 16 teams advance to the knockout rounds

Knockout Stage Bracket

The path from Round of 16 to the Final - with predicted pool winners shown. 16 teams battle for rugby's ultimate prize.

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FINAL

Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2

SEMI-FINAL 1

Winner QF1

Winner QF2

SEMI-FINAL 2

Winner QF3

Winner QF4

BRONZE FINAL

Loser SF1 vs Loser SF2

QUARTER-FINALS

Winner R16-1

Winner R16-2

Winner R16-3

Winner R16-4

Winner R16-5

Winner R16-6

Winner R16-7

Winner R16-8

ROUND OF 16

Predicted pool winners shown

New Zealand (A1)

Best 3rd C/D/E/F

South Africa (B1)

Best 3rd A/D/E/F

Fiji (C2)

Wales (F2)

France (E1)

Scotland (D2)

Australia (A2)

Japan (E2)

England (F1)

Italy (B2)

Argentina (C1)

Best 3rd A/B/E/F

Ireland (D1)

Best 3rd B/C/E/F

Pool Colors:

Pool A

Pool B

Pool C

Pool D

Pool E

Pool F

Best 3rd Place

Pool Stage Points System

How teams earn points in the pool stage and qualify for the knockout rounds.

Points for Win

Points for Draw

4+ Tries Scored

Bonus Point

Lose by <8 pts

Bonus Point

Who Advances to the Knockout Stage?

Pool Winners

1st place each pool

Runners-Up

2nd place each pool

Best 3rd Place

Top 4 of 6 third-place teams

= 16 Teams in the Round of 16

Road to Rugby World Cup 2027

✓ December 3, 2025

Official Draw Ceremony

Sydney, Australia

February 3, 2026

Full Match Schedule Released

Announced Digitally

October 1, 2027

Opening Match - Perth

Perth Stadium

October 30-31, 2027

Quarter-Finals

Sydney & Brisbane

November 5-6, 2027

Semi-Finals

Stadium Australia, Sydney

November 13, 2027

Final

Stadium Australia, Sydney

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the Rugby World Cup 2027 draw?

The official draw took place on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. It was broadcast live on World Rugby's RugbyPass TV and Channel Nine Australia.

What are the pools for RWC 2027?

Pool A: New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong China, Chile. Pool B: South Africa, Italy, Georgia, Romania. Pool C: Argentina, Fiji, Spain, Canada. Pool D: Ireland, Scotland, Uruguay, Portugal. Pool E: France, Japan, USA, Samoa. Pool F: England, Wales, Tonga, Zimbabwe.

How does the new 24-team format work?

Teams are divided into 6 pools of 4 teams each. The top two teams from each pool (12 teams) plus the four best third-placed teams (4 teams) advance to the Round of 16, creating a 16-team knockout stage.

What is the points system in the pool stage?

Win = 4 points, Draw = 2 points. Bonus points: Score 4 or more tries in a match = 1 point. Lose by less than 8 points = 1 point. This rewards attacking play and close matches.

When will the full match schedule be announced?

The full match schedule with specific dates, kick-off times, and venues for all pool matches will be announced on February 3, 2026. We know the tournament runs October 1 - November 13, 2027.

How is the Round of 16 different from previous tournaments?

This is the first Rugby World Cup with a Round of 16. Previously, the top 2 from each of 4 pools (8 teams) went straight to quarter-finals. Now, 16 teams compete in the first knockout round, creating more matches and opportunities.

Explore More About RWC 2027

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Don't Miss the Historic 2027 Tournament

Be part of rugby history as 24 nations compete in Australia's biggest sporting event. Secure your tickets now and witness the action live.

View Ticket Options Rugby World Cup History

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Rugby World Cup 2027 Official Draw Results

Official Pool Draw Results

Pool A

Pool B

Pool C

Pool D

Pool E

Pool F

Key Pool Stage Matchups

Revolutionary 24-Team Format

Tournament Structure

What's Changed from Previous Tournaments

Team Count

Pool Structure

Knockout Stage

Tournament Duration

Advancement

Total Matches

Pool Progression Explained

Pool Winners

Runners-Up

Best Third-Place

Knockout Stage Bracket

Pool Stage Points System

Who Advances to the Knockout Stage?

Road to Rugby World Cup 2027

Official Draw Ceremony

Full Match Schedule Released

Opening Match - Perth

Quarter-Finals

Semi-Finals

Final

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore More About RWC 2027

Team Profiles

Match Schedule

Venues Guide

Ticket Info

Don't Miss the Historic 2027 Tournament