Perth the big winner in Rugby World Cup reveal, draw details emerge as men's tournament expands to 24

Perth will host the opening match of the expanded Rugby World Cup in 2027, with the Wallabies playing a yet to be determined team on October 1.

The six week tournament will end on November 13 with the final in Sydney.

The draw will be held on December 3 when all 24 qualified teams in the expanded format will discover their pool stage opponents.

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The tournament will feature six pools of four teams, with the rankings at the end of the November internationals used to create four bands of six teams, with each band drawn randomly into Pool A, B, C, D, E or F.

The top two teams from each pool plus the four best third placed teams will qualify for the knockout phase, allowing more countries to reach that stage.

The round of 16 will see the winners of Pool A, B, C and D play the four best third placed teams, winners of Pool E and F will face the runners up from Pool D and B, and the runners up in Pool A and C will meet the second placed teams from Pool E and F.

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The qualification process is nearly complete, with 23 teams now confirmed after Chile defeated Samoa in the South America/Pacific playoff last weekend.

The remaining final spot will be determined on November 8-18 in Dubai.

Samoa still has a chance to claim the final place in Australia through the four team playoff in Dubai.

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The other teams are Belgium, Namibia and either Brazil or Paraguay.

"Expanding the men's Rugby World Cup to 24 teams is a landmark moment for our sport," World Rugby chairman and former Wallabies flanker Brett Robinson said.

"It means more nations, more matches, and more opportunities for fans around the world to connect with rugby.

"With only two years until the biggest men's Rugby World Cup ever, I'm thrilled to see the tournament draw date revealed.

"The draw brings the potential match ups to life, rivalries are set and fans across the globe can envision the unforgettable rugby that awaits.

"The introduction of a round of 16 will deliver even more knockout rugby, ensuring every match counts and every team has the chance to make history.

"Importantly, we've been able to achieve this within a streamlined tournament window that protects player welfare while enhancing the spectacle.

"This is a huge step forward for rugby and a reflection of the game's global growth."

South Africa are the defending champions while the Wallabies failed to reach the quarter-finals for the first time ever in France in 2023.

Chris Stanley, the managing director of the tournament, joined Nine's Today show from Perth on Wednesday.

"Two years from today, Perth and Australia will be at the centre of the sporting world as the biggest men's Rugby World Cup ever kicks off. The countdown is well and truly on, and excitement is building," Stanley said.

"The draw on December 3 will be the next major milestone - the moment when fans and players alike discover who they'll be facing in the pool phase. From there, anticipation will only grow as we move towards unveiling the match schedule and opening ticket sales in February 2026.

"This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Australians to be part of a truly international celebration and for the global rugby community to share in an incredible men's Rugby World Cup in Australia."

England won the women's World Cup on Sunday (AEST) by beating Canada in the final.