Ireland Set to Discover Pool Opponents for 2027 Rugby World Cup

The draw for the 2027 Rugby World Cup will take place on October 1, 2027, at 09:00 Irish time, determining the pool opponents for Ireland and the other competing nations. The event will be hosted in Australia and broadcast live on platforms such as Rugby Pass and World Rugby’s YouTube channel. This tournament will mark a significant expansion, increasing the number of participating teams from 20 to 24.

Ireland is positioned in Pot 1 alongside rugby powerhouses including South Africa, New Zealand, France, England, and Argentina. As the host country, Australia is guaranteed a spot in Pool A. The participating teams will be divided into four pools, each consisting of six teams, with the new format introducing a round of 16.

The qualification journey for the 2027 Rugby World Cup began during the 2023 tournament, where twelve nations secured their places by finishing in the top three of their pools: Argentina, Australia, England, Fiji, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Scotland, Wales, New Zealand, and champions South Africa. The remaining twelve spots will be determined through regional qualification processes initiated in 2024.

In Asia, Japan qualified directly through their performance in 2023, setting the stage for the first-ever representation of two teams from the continent in the Men’s Rugby World Cup. Hong Kong-China emerged as strong contenders by winning the Asia Men’s Championship 2025, defeating teams like Korea and Sri Lanka, with an impressive aggregate score of 191 to 39.

In Africa, the Africa Men’s Cup took place in July 2025, featuring the Webb Ellis Cup on its opening day. Defending champions Zimbabwe and Namibia reached the final after a competitive series of matches. While Zimbabwe celebrated their return to the Rugby World Cup stage, Namibia had to face the United Arab Emirates in a play-off, which they won convincingly, finishing at 86-29.

Looking ahead, ticket sales for the tournament will begin with an exclusive presale on February 18, 2026, for registered fans. Ticket prices for pool matches will start at approximately AUD 40 (around €22.60), with options for families, including children’s tickets starting at AUD 20 (around €11.30). Organizers aim to make the tournament accessible to all, with over one million tickets priced under AUD 100 (around €56.51).

As Australia prepares to host this prestigious event, the tournament promises to be a celebration of rugby, showcasing the sport’s rich culture and heritage. The new format will increase the number of matches from 48 to 52 while maintaining player welfare, ensuring teams have a minimum five-day rest period between games.

The venues for the 2027 Rugby World Cup will include major cities such as Townsville, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth, and Sydney. With the draw approaching, excitement builds as fans eagerly await the announcement of Ireland’s opponents and the chance to support their teams in what promises to be an unforgettable tournament.