Paraguay voluntarily withdrawn from the RWC 2027 Final Qualification Tournament after admitting to World Rugby that they had inadvertently played an ineligible player in the final South American RWC qualification play-off matches against Brazi, paving the way for Brazil to take their place in the decisive event alongside Belgium, Namibia, and Samoa
Paraguay had earlier celebrated a famous win over Brazil, triumphing 70–43 on aggregate to secure a spot in the FQT. However, upon discovering the eligibility breach, the Paraguayan Rugby Union immediately notified World Rugby and chose to withdraw from the tournament.
As a result, Brazil has now been reinstated and will take Paraguay’s place in the Dubai-based qualifier, joining Belgium, Namibia, and Samoa in the battle for the final ticket to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
The four teams will battle it out in Dubai from 8 to 18 November 2025, with the winner earning the 24th and final ticket to Australia 2027. The competition will be played in a single round-robin format across three match days November 8, 13, and 18 with the top team on points securing qualification.
Brazil’s inclusion comes as a dramatic twist after they were initially eliminated. Paraguay, who had beaten Brazil in the South American play-off, later informed World Rugby that they had inadvertently used an ineligible player and chose to withdraw.
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For Belgium, this is an opportunity to make their first-ever Rugby World Cup appearance. They earned their spot in the FQT after finishing fifth in the 2025 Rugby Europe Men’s Championship, defeating Switzerland and the Netherlands.
Namibia, meanwhile, will aim to qualify for an eighth consecutive Rugby World Cup, having featured in every edition since 1999. Samoa will be fighting to extend their remarkable streak of nine straight appearances, having last missed the tournament in 1987.
The opening day on Saturday, 8 November, will see Samoa face Brazil in the tournament’s curtain-raiser, followed by Belgium taking on Namibia. Five days later, Belgium will play Brazil while Samoa meet Namibia, before the final match day sees Namibia face Brazil and Samoa meet Belgium in what could be a decisive clash.
RWC 2027 Final Qualification Tournament Fixtures
Match day 1 – 8 November
17:00 – Samoa v Brazil
19:30 – Belgium v Namibia
Match day 2 – 13 November
17:00 – Belgium v Brazil
19:30 – Samoa v Namibia
Match day 3 – 18 November
17:00 – Namibia v Brazil
19:30 – Samoa v Belgium
