NATIONS CUP OPENS POWERFUL NEW RUGBY CHAPTER
World Rugby has announced major progress on preparations for the new World Rugby Nations Cup, which will kick off in 2026. All 12 participating teams have now been confirmed, setting the stage for a groundbreaking competition that will help nations prepare for the expanded Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia.
The Nations Cup promises an unprecedented level of competitive international rugby for emerging and rising teams. With a strong focus on performance growth, financial development, and meaningful global competition, the tournament will give these nations regular, high-quality Test matches during the July and November windows.
All 12 teams, Canada, Chile, Georgia, Hong Kong, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Tonga, Uruguay, USA, Zimbabwe, and Samoa qualified automatically by earning their place at Rugby World Cup 2027. This makes the Nations Cup a true platform for World Cup-bound teams to sharpen their skills.
The tournament is closely linked to the new top-tier Nations Championship, which features the Six Nations teams, the SANZAAR nations, plus Japan and Fiji. In 2027 and 2029, there will be crossover fixtures between the two competitions, offering even more exciting matchups.
The Nations Cup will be played across July and November in 2026 and 2028, with full details on pools, venues, and schedules to be announced soon. Rugby fans can expect a new era of global competition, drama, and opportunity for rising nations.
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