Canada, positioned 25th globally, has been placed in Pool C alongside Argentina (6th), Fiji (8th), and Spain (15th) at the upcoming 2027 Rugby World Cup hosted in Australia. The draw, which took place in Sydney, also grouped the host Wallabies (7th) with New Zealand (2nd) in Pool A, marking their first-ever meeting in pool play.
Being the lowest-ranked team among the 24 participating, Canada was expected to face tough opponents. However, the draw could have been more challenging for Stephen Meehan’s squad. Facing Argentina from Pot 1, who recently defeated the British and Irish Lions, and Fiji and Spain from Pots 2 and 3, respectively, Canada evaded a worst-case scenario of facing South Africa, Australia, and Georgia based on rankings.
Pool C is anticipated to be competitive with Argentina and Fiji bringing a mix of strength and skill. Despite not playing against the full Argentina team since 2005, Canada has had a series of losses against their second-string side. The matchup against Spain holds promise for Canada, especially after a close defeat in June.
The 2027 World Cup introduces a new format with six groups of four teams each. The top two teams from each pool, along with the four best third-place finishers, will advance to the knockout rounds, starting with the round of 16. Canada, aiming to end an 11-game winless streak, will strive to make an impact in the tournament after only progressing past the pool stage once in 1991.
Scheduled from October 1 to November 13 across various Australian cities, the 2027 World Cup will witness the Wallabies kick off the tournament in Perth. This marks the fourth time Canada has been grouped with Fiji in the competition, with previous encounters dating back to 1991. Additionally, Canada’s draw with Argentina and Spain is a first in the history of the World Cup for the Canadian team.
After missing out on the 2023 tournament, Canada secured its spot through the Pacific Nations Cup. The 2027 field comprises teams who secured automatic qualification from the previous tournament and others who qualified through regional events. Spain, a runner-up in the Rugby Europe Championship, will also be among the competitors in Australia. The structure of the knockout rounds ensures an exciting progression for the top-performing teams in each pool.