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- Process designed to promote regional strength and the best teams for the rugby exhibition event
- 12 teams have already qualified thanks to the top three places in the group at RWC 2019
- RWC 2023 on track to be a spectacular celebration of rugby and France
World Rugby has announced details of the qualification process for Rugby World Cup 2023 in France.
Following the most competitive and acclaimed Rugby World Cup to date in Japan, the qualification process is designed to bring the world’s best teams to the rugby exhibition tournament, while promoting a genuine opportunity for all unions.
With 12 teams secured their place in France 2023 thanks to finishing in the top three of their respective groups at RWC 2019, the remaining eight places will be determined through a process of regional and trans-regional qualifiers. The process will conclude with a four-team round-trip Final Qualification Tournament in November 2022 to determine the final qualifier.
The dates of the events in 2021 will be announced in due course and will be subject to early relief from the COVID-19 situation.
The announcement follows consultation with unions and regions in January 2020 and a full performance review at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, where rankings alter and impressive performances in particular from Japan, Fiji, Uruguay, Tonga and Georgia narrowed the performance gap, with the average. The profit margin between established and emerging unions decreases compared to the 2015 benchmarks.
The Americas will deliver two direct spots, while Oceania will deliver a direct qualifier with an additional direct spot available after a tiebreaker with Asia. The Rugby Europe Championship (two direct venues), the Rugby Africa Cup (one direct venue) and the Final Qualification Tournament (one direct venue) will provide the other qualifiers. More details are provided below.
RWC 2023 qualification principles
- Americas: The Americas will qualify two teams by September 2022. The third best team in the region will enter the Final Qualification Tournament – Americas 1 and Americas 2
- Europe: The existing Rugby Europe Championship will have two qualification spots, with the top two teams in March 2022 qualifying directly and the third place entering the Final Qualification Tournament – Europe 1 and Europe 2
- Africa: The winner of the Rugby Africa Cup 2022 will qualify directly and the runner-up will advance to the final classification – Africa 1
- Oceania– A home and away play-off between Tonga and Samoa in 2021 will determine the direct qualifier for the Oceania region. – Oceania 1
The loser will then play the winner of the Oceania Rugby Cup 2021 in the country of the highest ranked team and the eventual winner will compete in Asia / Pacific (see below) as Oceania 2 - Pacific Asia– The 2021 Men’s Asian Rugby Championship winner will play Oceania 2 at home and away. The overall winner will determine the qualifier and the loser will go to the Final Classification – Asia / Pacific 1
- Final qualifying tournament: The November 2022 tournament will feature four teams playing a free-for-all format with the winner qualifying for RWC 2023 – Winner of the final classification
Teams already classified: South Africa, England, New Zealand, Wales, Japan, France (host), Australia, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Argentina, Fiji
World Rugby President Bill Beaumont said: “As the global pandemic has halted most of rugby activity, the confirmation of the global qualification process for the Rugby World Cup 2023 provides a beacon of excitement for all. , including players and fans.
“The process that has been developed through full consultation with our regional associations and member unions will provide a genuine opportunity for full member unions to qualify for our 15-year-old men’s show event.
“By maximizing existing regional competencies, the process is good for regions and unions in managing costs for organizers and participants alike, which is important as we all recover from the global pandemic.
“On behalf of World Rugby, I would like to wish all the teams involved the best of luck on their trip to France 2023.”
Rugby World Cup France 2023 Executive Director Claude Atcher added: “This qualification process gives emerging unions the opportunity to participate in the most important competition in our sport.
“The success of the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan and the performances of the host nation is a testament to the expansion of rugby globally. Now that the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic is about to be won, I welcome this optimistic prospect of reconnecting with the excitement of our sport. This is the beginning of our journey to France 2023, which will be the best tournament ever held ”.
Final details of the regional competition dates and formats will be announced in due course.
Official World Rugby Press Release
