The French team knows more about the draw for the 2027 World Cup. While the 24 participating countries will be divided into six groups of four on December 3, the cap is now known.
Founded on the world rankings maintained by World Rugby, the international federation, these rankings are applied to balance the draw for the group stage. Thanks to their success on Saturday against Australia in a test match held at the Stade de France (48-33), the Blues secured their place in pot 1, namely the top seed.
The fifth country in the world, France along with South Africa, title holders, New Zealand, vice world champions 2023, England, Ireland and Argentina.
Heading to France-Australia from the pool?
On the other hand, Australia did not participate despite its status as the organizing country. The Wallabies will act as scarecrows in hat 2 and could well find Fabien Galthié’s men in the first half, in two years. Scotland and Wales will also be opponents the Tricolores should avoid.
Caps 3 and 4 were less lifted and welcomed some returning nations such as Zimbabwe, who had not participated in a Rugby World Cup since 1991. On the Asian side, Hong Kong made the cut and were invited for the first time on a major international stage.
2027 World Cup hat
Hat 1:
South Africa, New Zealand, England, Ireland, FranceArgentina
Hat 2:
Australia, Fiji, Scotland, Italy, Wales, Japan
Hat 3:
Georgia, Spain, United States, Uruguay, Tonga, Chile
Hat 4:
Samoa, Portugal, Romania, Hong Kong, Canada, Zimbabwe
As a reminder, this is the first time that so many teams have attended the World Cup since the format change was decided by the federation at the end of 2023. In the last edition of the main competition held in France, 20 countries were represented.
Another big development: the round of 16 will be held at the end of the group stage. Barring an industrial disaster, the Blues should stay there as the first two teams in each group will progress, as well as the four best third-placed teams.
