{"id":296987,"date":"2023-10-24T12:24:30","date_gmt":"2023-10-24T12:24:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/?p=296987"},"modified":"2023-10-24T12:24:30","modified_gmt":"2023-10-24T12:24:30","slug":"rugby-world-cup-to-be-expanded-to-24-teams-in-2027","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/rugby-union\/rugby-world-cup-to-be-expanded-to-24-teams-in-2027\/","title":{"rendered":"Rugby World Cup to be expanded to 24 teams in 2027"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/p>\n
The next World Cup will be expanded to 24 teams as part of a new global calendar approved by World Rugby\u2019s council.<\/p>\n
The change that will come into effect for Australia 2027 is intended to provide more qualification opportunities for emerging nations as well as regional competitions.<\/p>\n
Further details of the revised format for the group stage will be announced at a World Rugby press conference on Tuesday afternoon.<\/p>\n
A new bi-annual international competition is also to be launched in 2026, comprising of two divisions of 12 teams with promotion and relegation commencing from 2030.<\/p>\n
The matches will take place in the July and November international windows.<\/p>\n