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While many supporters in the UK concentrate on their clubs' season-opening performances or discuss upcoming autumn internationals, the contest for 2027 Rugby World Cup qualification continues at full pace.

Chile's Historic Accomplishment

Chile earned their back-to-back appearance at the competition with a stunning qualifying win against Samoa last month, leaving one place left to be claimed for the host nation by 2027. Meanwhile, Paraguay stunned Brazil 39-19 in the first leg of their playoff.

The return match is scheduled on Saturday in the Brazilian city, close to São Paulo, as Brazil's men's team attempts to follow the women's success and secure qualification for the first time.

Upcoming Qualifying Clash

Regardless of Paraguay manages a shock overall victory, or Brazil recovers following manager their coach's recent dismissal, the lineup for next month's Dubai qualification tournament will be confirmed. The Namibian team, Belgium, and the Samoan side are already confirmed spots for the Dubai-based competition from 8-18 November.

Global Qualification Updates

Many additional teams have also earned their spots. Hong Kong China achieved maiden qualification after beating Korea by a large margin in the summer, while Zimbabwe will make a comeback to rugby union's premier tournament for the first time since 1991 after claiming victory in the African championship.

Chile's Growing Profile

The consequence of Chile's qualifying triumph means that Los Condores will face Italy for the first occasion in November during the autumn internationals, taking the place of Samoa who must participate in the Dubai tournament.

The global governing body's CEO called Chile an "thrilling and rapidly rising power" in confirming the upcoming match in the Italian city. While local the sport markets seek larger crowds, rugby in Chile is buoyant. A capacity crowd of over 20,000 saw the playoff victory in Viña del Mar, and manager Pablo Lemoine has guided the squad on an improving path since his appointment in recent years.

Coach's Notable Career

The 50-year-old former Uruguay international forward has been influencing the game for decades: signed by Bristol in the late 90s, he famously broke through England defense to touch down at the 2003 global tournament.

His influence as national coach has been equally powerful: Chile have climbed to seventeenth place, their highest-ever ranking. During the previous tournament in Europe, they were beaten four times, conceding 215 points and registering twenty-seven, featuring a 71-0 defeat to England.

Nevertheless, they confidently found the positive aspects, and following the 2027 draw in Australia on December 3rd, Lemoine can start preparations in earnest. They hosted Scotland last year, losing by a significant margin before twenty-four thousand supporters, and although they were defeated over two legs by the Uruguayan side in the first 2027 playoff, they achieved a narrow away victory in the Uruguayan capital.

Samoa's Qualifying Challenge

Samoa, meanwhile, have not missed every World Cup since 1991, but are currently sitting in sixteenth position in the men's rankings. They were without a victory in this year's Pacific Nations Cup, leading to playoff misery against Chile, and the need to meet teams like Belgium brings further challenge for the rugby-loving country.

Competition Format Changes

Beyond specific teams' fortunes, it is important to consider how changed the expanded tournament will appear in 2027. For the first time, there will be a round of 16 with six pools of four teams rather than four groups of five. Pool-stage risk is much lower because the top four third-placed teams will additionally advance.

Hosts and Rankings Consequences

The hosts, Australia, are now placed seventh in the global rankings, meaning they would fall short on top seeding and might face either the Springboks, the All Blacks, Ireland, the French, the English, or the Pumas in their group. They could rise into the highest seeds during a busy November, however: the English team, the Italian side, Ireland, and France are their fixtures, with a game against the Japanese team in the capital additionally planned for October 25th.

The Welsh team, on the other hand, are balanced in twelfth place, with the Japanese side behind, and the implications of dropping to thirteenth and into pot three are potentially significant.

Americas Presence and Future Events

Another new dimension for the next World Cup is the participation of five nations from the American continent: Argentina, the Uruguayan side, the United States, Canada, and the Chilean squad – with either Paraguay or Brazil potentially becoming the sixth. From World Rugby's perspective, American interest is positive, especially with the 2031 tournament set to be hosted by the USA, and the selection process for the 2035 tournament was launched recently.

Current Focus

For now, though. The second installment of Brazil versus Paraguay prepares a four-way Dubai shootout, combined with a potential rankings shake-up throughout the European nations in the coming month. No matter the outcome, Chile's qualification for a second consecutive World Cup has undoubtedly made them as a clear success story.