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While numerous fans in the UK focus on their clubs' early-season performances or discuss forthcoming autumn internationals, the battle for World Cup 2027 qualifying rages on at full pace.

Chile's Historic Accomplishment

Chile secured their second consecutive appearance at the tournament with a sensational qualifying win against Samoa last month, leaving only one remaining spot up for grabs for the host nation in two years. At the same time, the Paraguayan side stunned Brazil 39-19 in the first leg of their playoff.

The second leg is scheduled this Saturday in Jacareí, close to São Paulo, while Brazil's squad attempts to follow their women's achievement and qualify for the first time.

Upcoming Qualifying Showdown

Whether Paraguay manages a surprise aggregate win, or Brazil recovers after manager Emiliano Caffera's departure, the participants for November's Dubai qualification tournament will be confirmed. The Namibian team, the Belgian squad, and the Samoan side have already secured their places for the Dubai-based competition from 8-18 November.

Global Qualification Developments

Several other teams have also secured their spots. Hong Kong China achieved first-time qualification following beating Korea by a large margin in the summer, and Zimbabwe will return to rugby union's most prestigious stage for the first occasion in over three decades by virtue of winning the Rugby Africa Cup.

Chile's Rising Profile

The knock-on effect of Chile's qualifying triumph means that Los Condores will play against Italy for the first occasion in November during the fall test series, replacing Samoa who must participate in Dubai.

World Rugby's chief executive described Chile an "thrilling and rapidly rising power" in confirming the forthcoming fixture in the Italian city. While domestic rugby promotional efforts seek increased attendance, Chilean rugby is thriving. A sell-out audience of over 20,000 saw the qualifying win in Viña del Mar, and head coach the national coach has led the team on an improving path since his appointment in recent years.

Coach's Impressive Career

The 50-year-old former Uruguay international prop has been influencing the game for decades: signed by the English club in the 1990s, he memorably ran straight through the English defense to touch down at the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

His impact as national coach has been equally powerful: Chile have climbed to seventeenth place, their best ranking. At the last tournament in France, they were beaten in all matches, conceding 215 points and registering 27, featuring a 71-0 defeat to England.

However, they confidently took the positive aspects, and after the tournament draw in Australia on 3 December, the coach can start preparations in earnest. They faced the Scottish team previously, defeated 52-11 before twenty-four thousand supporters, and although they were beaten over two legs by Uruguay in the first qualifying round, they achieved a narrow win on the road in the Uruguayan capital.

Samoa's Qualifying Struggle

The Samoan team, in contrast, have not missed every Rugby World Cup since 1991, but are currently languishing in 16th position in the men's rankings. They were winless in this year's regional tournament, leading to playoff misery versus Chile, and the requirement to face teams like Belgium adds further difficulty for the proud rugby nation.

Competition Format Changes

Apart from individual nations' fortunes, it is important to consider how changed the expanded competition will appear in 2027. For the first time, there will be a knockout stage with six groups of four teams rather than four groups of five teams. Group phase jeopardy is significantly reduced because the four best third-place teams will additionally advance.

Host Nation and Standings Implications

The hosts, Australia, are now placed seventh in the global rankings, meaning they would miss out on a top seed and could meet one of South Africa, New Zealand, Ireland, the French, England, or Argentina in Pool A. They may climb into the top six during a busy November, however: the English team, Italy, the Irish squad, and the French team are their fixtures, with a game versus Japan in the capital additionally scheduled for 25 October.

Wales, on the other hand, are teetering in twelfth place, with the Japanese side behind, and the implications of falling to 13th and into the third seeding group are possibly significant.

American Presence and Future Events

Another new dimension for 2027 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 potentially making it six. From World Rugby's perspective, American interest is beneficial, particularly with the 2031 tournament set to be staged by the USA, and the selection process for the 2035 edition was initiated last month.

Current Focus

First things first, though. The second installment of Brazil v Paraguay prepares a four-team Dubai shootout, along with a possible rankings shake-up across Europe in the coming month. Regardless of the outcome, Chile's successful qualification for a second consecutive World Cup has already made them as a resounding success story.