Samoa has officially secured the final spot at the Rugby World Cup 2027 after a tense 13–13 draw against Belgium in Dubai. The match, played on Tuesday, brought a dramatic end to the qualification process and capped off a campaign that saw Samoa hold their nerve when it mattered most.
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The result was enough to finish ahead of Belgium in the standings thanks to superior bonus points collected earlier in the tournament. Their previous win over Namibia ultimately made the difference and ensured the Pacific nation’s return to rugby’s biggest stage.
This qualification continues Samoa’s long-standing World Cup tradition. They have appeared in every edition of the tournament since 1991, missing only the very first competition in 1987. By contrast, Belgium entered the qualifier chasing what would have been their first-ever World Cup appearance.
Despite being underdogs, Belgium pushed Samoa far harder than most expected. Playing with confidence and physicality throughout the tournament and especially in this final match. Belgium struck first, applying early pressure and leading 6–3 at halftime.
Their performance was especially impressive given their struggles in the scrum. Where Samoa’s forward power caused consistent problems. Belgium compensated with disciplined defense and opportunistic kicking, earning well-deserved praise for their resilience in the opening forty minutes.
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Samoa Edges Belgium to Complete Rugby World Cup Lineup
Samoa’s breakthrough came just after the hour mark when Abraham Papali’i. The powerful Castres back-rower crashed over for the team’s first and only try of the match. The score shifted momentum firmly in Samoa’s favor, and a successful penalty kick soon after stretched the lead. At that stage, it seemed Samoa might pull away and seal qualification comfortably.
But Belgium refused to fade. With only seven minutes remaining. Belgian captain Jean-Baptiste Decubber scored a dramatic try that tied the game at 13–13 and reignited hopes of a historic upset. Despite that late surge, Belgium still needed a win to qualify, and time ultimately ran out.
The final whistle confirmed Samoa’s place in the tournament and left Belgium heartbroken. Yet widely praised for a performance that showcased the growing depth of European rugby beyond traditional powers.
The tournament will feature six pools of four teams each, part of an expanded format intended to increase competitiveness and global reach. Australia will host the 2027 edition, marking the third time the nation has staged the men’s tournament.
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Rugby World Cup Final: Returns to Australia With Updated Venue List
The first instance came in 1987 when Australia co-hosted alongside New Zealand, while 2003 saw Australia act as sole host. Cities such as Brisbane and Sydney, which were involved in hosting duties during the 1987 event, will once again feature in 2027.
The 2003 World Cup included eleven venues across ten cities. Several of those earlier host cities, including Canberra, Launceston, Gosford, and Wollongong, are not part of the 2027 venue lineup. Tasmania, which hosted a Namibia vs. Romania match in 2003, will notably be left without matches this time around.
Of the 24 teams participating in 2027, Australia qualified automatically as host. Additional automatic places were awarded to nations that finished in the top three of their pools during the 2023 World Cup in France.
These teams include heavyweights such as South Africa, New Zealand, England, France, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and others. Ensuring that the core rugby powers return to the field. The remaining qualification spots were filled through regional competitions. Europe contributed Georgia, Portugal, Romania, and Spain; Africa sent Zimbabwe.
Asia qualified Hong Kong; North America and the Pacific region produced Canada, Tonga, and the United States; South America qualified Uruguay. And Chile secured its place through a regional playoff. With Samoa now joining as the final repackage qualifier, the field is complete.
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