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While many fans in the UK concentrate on their clubs' season-opening performances or debate upcoming fall test matches, the contest for World Cup 2027 qualifying continues unabated.

Chile's Remarkable Achievement

Chile earned their second consecutive spot at the competition with a stunning qualifying win against Samoa last month, leaving only a single place left to be claimed for Australia in two years. Meanwhile, the Paraguayan side stunned Brazil 39-19 in the first leg of their playoff.

The return match is scheduled on Saturday in the Brazilian city, near São Paulo, as Brazil's squad aims to follow their women's achievement and qualify for the first time.

Forthcoming Qualification Showdown

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

Worldwide Qualifying Developments

Several other nations have also secured their spots. Hong Kong China sealed first-time qualification following beating Korea 70-22 in July, while Zimbabwe will make a comeback to the sport's most prestigious stage for the first time in over three decades after winning the African championship.

Chile's Rising Profile

The consequence of Chile's qualifying triumph ensures that Los Condores will face Italy for the first occasion in November during the fall test series, taking the place of Samoa who must participate in Dubai.

The global governing body's CEO described Chile an "thrilling and fast-emerging power" in confirming the forthcoming match in Genoa. While local the sport markets seek increased attendance, Chilean rugby is thriving. A sell-out audience of over 20,000 witnessed the playoff victory in the coastal city, and head coach Pablo Lemoine has led the team on an upward trajectory since taking over in 2018.

Manager's Notable Legacy

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

His influence as head coach has been similarly powerful: Chile have climbed to 17th, their best position. At the previous tournament in France, they were defeated four times, conceding 215 points and scoring 27, featuring a heavy defeat against the English team.

Nevertheless, they proudly found the positives, and following the tournament draw in Australia on 3 December, the coach can start preparations in earnest. They hosted Scotland previously, losing by a significant margin before 24,000 supporters, and although they were beaten over two legs by Uruguay in the initial 2027 playoff, they managed a 21-18 win on the road in the Uruguayan capital.

Samoa's Qualifying Struggle

Samoa, in contrast, have not missed all Rugby World Cup since 1991, but are presently sitting in 16th position in the men's rankings. They were without a victory in the recent Pacific Nations Cup, resulting in qualifying disappointment against Chile, and the requirement to face nations such as Belgium brings additional difficulty for the rugby-loving country.

Tournament Format Changes

Apart from individual nations' performances, it is important to consider how changed the expanded tournament will appear in 2027. For the first occasion, there will be a knockout stage with six groups of four rather than four pools of five teams. Group phase risk is significantly reduced because the top four third-place sides will also advance.

Host Nation and Standings Consequences

The hosts, Australia, are currently placed seventh in the global rankings, which means they would fall short on top seeding and could face one of the Springboks, the All Blacks, the Irish, France, England, or the Pumas in their group. They could rise into the highest seeds during a busy November, however: the English team, the Italian side, the Irish squad, and the French team are their fixtures, with a match against the Japanese team in Tokyo also planned for 25 October.

Wales, on the other hand, are balanced in 12th, with Japan behind, and the implications of dropping to 13th and into pot three are potentially significant.

Americas Representation and Upcoming Events

An additional fresh aspect for 2027 is the presence of five teams from the Americas: the Argentine team, the Uruguayan side, the United States, Canada, and Chile – with Paraguay or Brazil possibly becoming the sixth. From the governing body's perspective, engagement from the Americas is positive, particularly with the 2031 World Cup scheduled to be staged by the United States, and the host selection for the 2035 tournament was launched recently.

Immediate Focus

For now, though. The return match of Brazil versus Paraguay sets up a four-way Dubai shootout, along with a potential rankings shake-up throughout the European nations in the coming month. Regardless of the outcome, Chile's qualification for a second Rugby World Cup has already made them as a clear triumphant example.