🔗 Share this article Latin American Rugby Success Stories Fuel Men's World Cup Qualification Race As numerous supporters in the UK focus on club early-season performances or discuss forthcoming autumn internationals, the contest for 2027 Rugby World Cup qualifying continues unabated. Chile's Remarkable Achievement Chile earned their back-to-back appearance at the competition with a stunning playoff victory against Samoa recently, leaving only a single place left up for grabs for the host nation in two years. Meanwhile, Paraguay surprised Brazil by twenty points in the opening match of their qualifying series. The second leg is scheduled on Saturday in JacareÃ, close to São Paulo, as Brazil's squad aims to emulate the women's achievement and secure qualification for the first occasion. Forthcoming Qualification Showdown Whether Paraguay completes a shock overall victory, or Brazil recovers after head coach their coach's recent dismissal, the lineup for next month's Dubai qualification tournament will be confirmed. Namibia, the Belgian squad, and Samoa have already secured spots for the Middle Eastern showdown from 8-18 November. Worldwide Qualifying Updates Many other nations have also earned their places. The Hong Kong China team achieved maiden qualification after beating Korea by a large margin in July, while the Zimbabwean squad will make a comeback to rugby union's premier tournament for the first occasion in over three decades after claiming victory in the African championship. Chile's Growing Profile The knock-on effect of Chile's qualifying triumph ensures that Los Condores will face Italy for the first occasion next month during the autumn internationals, replacing Samoa who are obligated to participate in the Dubai tournament. World Rugby's chief executive called Chile an "thrilling and fast-emerging force" in announcing the upcoming match in the Italian city. While local the sport markets aim for larger crowds, Chilean rugby is buoyant. A capacity crowd of more than twenty thousand witnessed the playoff victory in Viña del Mar, and manager Pablo Lemoine has led the team on an upward trajectory since his appointment in recent years. Manager's Impressive Career The fifty-year-old ex- Uruguayan prop has been making an impact for many years: signed by the English club in the 1990s, he famously ran straight through England defense to score at the 2003 global tournament. His impact as head coach has been equally powerful: Chile have climbed to 17th, their best ranking. During the previous World Cup in Europe, they were beaten four times, allowing over two hundred points and registering twenty-seven, including a heavy loss to England. However, they confidently found the positive aspects, and after the tournament draw in Sydney on 3 December, Lemoine can begin planning seriously. They faced the Scottish team previously, defeated 52-11 before twenty-four thousand fans, and although they were beaten across two legs by Uruguay in the first qualifying round, they achieved a 21-18 away victory in Montevideo. Samoa's Qualifying Struggle The Samoan team, in contrast, have participated in all World Cup since 1991, but are currently sitting in sixteenth position in the global rankings. They were without a victory in this year's regional tournament, resulting in qualifying disappointment versus Chile, and the requirement to face nations such as Belgium brings further challenge for the proud rugby nation. Competition Format Changes Apart from specific teams' fortunes, it is worth noting how different the larger competition will appear in the next edition. For the first occasion, there will be a round of 16 with six pools of four rather than four groups of five. Group phase jeopardy is much lower because the four best third-placed sides will additionally qualify. Host Nation and Rankings Consequences The organizers, the Australian team, are currently ranked seventh in the global rankings, meaning they would miss out on a top seed and could face one of the Springboks, the All Blacks, the Irish, the French, England, or Argentina in Pool A. They could rise into the top six during a busy November, however: England, Italy, the Irish squad, and the French team are their fixtures, with a match versus Japan in the capital additionally planned for 25 October. Wales, on the other hand, are balanced in twelfth place, with Japan behind, and the consequences of falling to thirteenth and into pot three are possibly significant. Americas Presence and Future Events Another fresh aspect for the next World Cup is the presence of five teams from the American continent: the Argentine team, the Uruguayan side, USA, Canada, and the Chilean squad – with Paraguay or Brazil possibly making it six. From the governing body's viewpoint, engagement from the Americas is beneficial, particularly with the 2031 World Cup scheduled to be hosted by the United States, and the host selection for the 2035 edition was launched recently. Current Priority For now, though. The second installment of Brazil v Paraguay sets up a four-way Dubai shootout, along with a potential rankings shake-up throughout the European nations in the coming month. Regardless of how things pan out, Chile's successful qualification for a second Rugby World Cup has undoubtedly made them as a clear triumphant example.