Georgia and Spain booked their places in the men's 2027 World Cup in Australia after their respective victories over the Netherlands and Switzerland in the Rugby Europe Championship, World Rugby announced on Sunday.
🇬🇪Job done ✅
— Rugby Europe (@rugby_europe) February 8, 2025
A win for Spain tomorrow and @GeorgianRugby will be officially confirmed with a Rugby World Cup ticket! #REC25 pic.twitter.com/MzcHLRC9Sc
Georgia, who have qualified for their seventh consecutive World Cup, beat the Dutch 40-7 on Saturday to reach the semifinal of the competition for Europe's second-tier sides.
Spain, who qualified for the 2019 and 2023 World Cups only to be disqualified on each occasion for fielding ineligible players, beat Switzerland 43-13 to secure their place.
🇬🇪Absolutely outrageous from that man Niniashvili! @GeorgianRugby are off to a flyer. #REC25 pic.twitter.com/DUeOKoj693
— Rugby Europe (@rugby_europe) February 8, 2025
Their only other appearance at the finals was in 1999, when they lost all three of their pool matches.
Wales' loss to Italy sees them sink to 12th in the World Rugby rankings - their lowest position ever - with Georgia moving into 11th 📉
— The Good, The Bad & The Rugby (@GoodBadRugby) February 8, 2025
Is it time to seriously reconsider relegation in the Six Nations? #ITAvWAL #GuinnessM6N #WelshRugby pic.twitter.com/tPKHahrZVD
Two more European teams have the opportunity to qualify with their fate resting on the outcome of Sunday's match between Portugal and Germany (1715 GMT).
The expanded 24-team 2027 Rugby World Cup will take place from October 1 to November 13 with Perth hosting the opening match and Sydney the final.
Teams qualified:
Australia (hosts), France, New Zealand, Italy, Ireland, South Africa, Scotland, Wales, Fiji, England, Argentina, Japan, Georgia, Spain