Hong Kong, Kenya, Portugal and USA will compete for the final spot at France 2023
Rugby World Cup 2023 Final Qualifying Explained
There is only one place left at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, but which country will secure it?
There are four teams in the running – Hong Kong, Kenya, Portugal and USA – and they will play in the Final Qualification Tournament [FQT] in Dubai in November to determine who books the 20th spot in France next year.
Portugal made it through to the FQT after finishing third in the Rugby Europe Championship while Hong Kong, Kenya and USA recently lost their regional qualifiers to Tonga, Namibia and Chile respectively.
They have one last chance to make it to RWC 2023, via the round-robin tournament in Dubai. The fixtures are yet to be announced but all the teams will play each other once, with matches on 6, 12 and 18 November.
The country that accrues the most competition points across the three matches will complete Pool C alongside Australia, Fiji, Georgia and Wales.
The final chance to make it to #RWC2023… 🏆
🇭🇰 @HongKongRugby
🇰🇪 @OfficialKRU
🇵🇹 @PortugalRugby
🇺🇸 @USARugby pic.twitter.com/MZ7tHRpwHI— Rugby World Cup [@rugbyworldcup] July 25, 2022
World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “There is only one remaining ticket for Rugby World Cup 2023, and it will all come down to a fantastic Final Qualification Tournament hosted in Dubai this November.
“The four participating teams have proven their worth during a challenging qualifying process that started in March 2021 and they will give their absolute best to join the France 2023 adventure. Rugby fans worldwide can expect an outstanding and hard-fought tournament.”
USA will likely go into the tournament as favourites, but the world rankings illustrate just how tight matches could be. The Eagles are in 19th place, with Portugal 20th and Hong Kong 22nd, while Kenya are 33rd.
It should be a highly competitive event, although it is a shame that it overlaps with this year’s World Cup. The final of the women’s tournament at Eden Park in New Zealand falls on the same day as the second round of matches in Dubai.
Sunday 6 November 2022 – Match day one
Saturday 12 November 2022 – Match day two
Friday 18 November 2022 – Match day three
All matches will be played at the Sevens Stadium in Dubai.
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Following the most competitive and widely-acclaimed Rugby World Cup to date in Japan, the qualification process is designed to deliver the top teams in the world to rugby's showcase tournament, while promoting a genuine opportunity for all unions.
With 12 teams having secured their place at France 2023 courtesy of finishing in the top three of their respective pools at RWC 2019, the remaining eight places will be determined by a process of regional and cross-regional qualifiers. The process will conclude with a four-team round-robin Final Qualification Tournament in November 2022 to determine the final qualifier.
The dates for events in 2021 will be announced in due course and will be subject to an anticipated easing of the COVID-19 situation.
The announcement follows consultation with unions and regions in January 2020 and a full review of performance at Rugby World Cup 2019, where rankings upsets and the impressive performances in particular of Japan, Fiji, Uruguay, Tonga and Georgia cut the performance gap, with the average winning margin between established and emerging unions decreasing in comparison with 2015 benchmarks.
The Americas will deliver two direct places, while Oceania will deliver a direct qualifier with a further direct place available following a play-off with Asia. The Rugby Europe Championship [two direct places], Rugby Africa Cup [one direct place] and Final Qualification Tournament [one direct place] will provide the other qualifiers. Further details are provided below.
RWC 2023 qualification principles
Americas: the Americas will qualify two teams by September 2022. The third best team in the region will enter the Final Qualification Tournament – Americas 1 and Americas 2.
Europe: The Rugby Europe Championship will offer two direct qualification places to the top two teams in March 2022, with the third best team going to the final qualification tournament.
Africa: the Rugby Africa Cup 2022 winner will qualify directly and the runner-up team will go to Final Qualification – Africa 1
Oceania: a home and away play-off between Tonga and Samoa in 2021 will determine the direct qualifier for the Oceania region. – Oceania 1 The loser will then play the Oceania Rugby Cup 2021 winner in the highest ranked team’s country with the eventual winner contesting Asia / Pacific [see below] as Oceania 2
Asia / Pacific: the winner of the Asian Rugby Men’s Championship 2021 will play Oceania 2 home and away. The winner on aggregate will determine the qualifier and the loser will go to Final Qualification – Asia / Pacific 1
Final Qualification Tournament: the tournament in November 2022 will feature four teams playing in a round-robin format with the winner qualifying for RWC 2023 – Final Qualification winner
Teams already qualified: South Africa, England, New Zealand, Wales, Japan, France [host], Australia, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Argentina, Fiji
World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “With the global pandemic having halted most rugby activity, confirmation of the global qualification process for Rugby World Cup 2023 provides a beacon of excitement for all, including players and fans.
“The process has been developed via full consultation with our regional associations and member unions will provide a genuine opportunity for full member unions to qualify for our showcase men’s 15s event. Maximising existing regional competitions, the process is good for regions and unions in managing costs for organisers and participants alike, which is important as we all recover from the global pandemic.
“On behalf of World Rugby, I’d like to wish all teams involved the best of luck on their journey to France 2023.”
Rugby World Cup France 2023 CEO Claude Atcher added: “This qualification process gives emerging unions an opportunity to take part in our sport’s biggest competition.
“The success of Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan and performances by the host nation is a testimony of rugby’s expansion globally. As the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic is about to be won, I welcome this optimistic prospect of reconnecting with the excitement of our sport. This is the start of our journey towards France 2023, which will be the best tournament ever delivered.”
Final details of the regional competition formats and dates will be announced in due course.