Russia, Belarus and Paraguay banned from Rugby World Cup 2027
Three nations—Russia, Belarus, and Paraguay—are barred from Rugby World Cup 2027 qualification. Russia and Belarus remain suspended by World Rugby over the 2022 invasion of Ukraine; Paraguay failed governance and compliance checks. With Australia hosting an expanded 24-team tournament, those exclusions reshaped who could even attempt to reach rugby's biggest stage.
Key Takeaways
- Russia, Belarus, and Paraguay were blocked from the Rugby World Cup 2027 qualification process entirely.
- Russia and Belarus face ongoing World Rugby sanctions tied to the invasion of Ukraine.
- Paraguay was ruled ineligible over governance and compliance failures, not on-field results.
- The 2027 tournament in Australia expands to 24 teams, widening opportunities for emerging nations.
- All 24 confirmed Rugby World Cup 2027 teams were in Nations Championship action on 11 July.
Why were Russia and Belarus banned from Rugby World Cup 2027?
World Rugby suspended Russia in 2022 after the country's invasion of Ukraine. The ban covers both the national team and Russian clubs, which meant the Bears could not enter the Rugby Europe Championship—the continent's qualification route for Rugby World Cup 2027.
Russia had previously reached two World Cups, in 2011 and 2019, and would likely have been contenders for one of Europe's qualifying places had they been eligible, according to Ruck.co.uk.
Belarus was swept up in the same sanctions package. Although the Eastern European side has never qualified for a Rugby World Cup, the suspension blocked them from every stage of the qualification process. Both unions remain excluded from international rugby until World Rugby lifts the sanctions.
Why was Paraguay ruled ineligible for Rugby World Cup 2027?
Paraguay's exclusion came for a very different reason. World Rugby ruled the South American nation ineligible because its national union failed to meet governance and compliance requirements—not because of anything that happened on the pitch.
Paraguay have never reached a Rugby World Cup, but the expanded 24-team format in Australia represented their best chance yet of breaking through. Instead, governance issues kept them on the sidelines while other emerging nations chased history. For more offbeat sports governance stories, browse our Bizarre News & Florida Man section.
What does the expanded Rugby World Cup 2027 format look like?
Men's Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia will be the first edition to feature 24 teams. Each of the six pools includes a side from Bands 1, 2, 3, and 4, based on World Rugby rankings.
Band 1 features South Africa, New Zealand, England, Ireland, France, and Argentina. Band 2 includes Australia, Fiji, Scotland, Italy, Wales, and Japan. Band 3 covers Georgia, Uruguay, Spain, USA, Chile, and Tonga. Band 4 comprises Samoa, Portugal, Romania, Hong Kong China, Zimbabwe, and Canada.
How is the Nations Championship shaping the road to Australia 2027?
While three nations never got a qualifying shot, the 24 teams confirmed for Australia 2027 are already testing themselves. After a pulsating opening weekend, round two of the Nations Championship landed on Saturday, 11 July, with six back-to-back Tests featuring Rugby Championship and Six Nations sides plus Japan and Fiji, according to Rugby World Cup 2027 organisers.
The remaining World Cup-bound teams competed in the World Rugby Nations Cup across North and South America, with double headers in Edmonton and Viña del Mar. Highlights included New Zealand hosting Italy in Wellington and Argentina closing the day against Wales.
The Racing Post previewed round-two Nations Championship fixtures including Japan vs Ireland, Fiji vs England, South Africa vs Scotland, and Argentina vs Wales—giving fans a live form guide long before kickoff in Australia next year.