Canada, positioned 25th globally, has been placed in Pool C alongside Argentina, Fiji, and Spain for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. The draw held in Sydney on Wednesday also saw the host Wallabies, ranked seventh, matched with New Zealand, ranked second, in Pool A, marking their first-ever pool play encounter.
As the lowest-ranked team in the expanded 24-team tournament, Canada was primed for a challenging draw. However, the outcome was relatively favorable for Stephen Meehan’s team. Drawing Argentina from Pot No. 1, who recently defeated the British and Irish Lions, along with Fiji and Spain from Pots 2 and 3 respectively, sets the stage for a competitive Pool C.
Potential scenarios could have seen Canada facing tougher opponents like South Africa, Australia, and Georgia based on rankings. Nevertheless, Pool C is anticipated to be a competitive grouping with Argentina and Fiji known for their physicality and flair.
Canada’s history against these opponents varies, with recent encounters including a loss to Argentina XV and a significant defeat by Fiji in the Pacific Nations Cup. However, the Canadian team has its sights set on Spain after a close loss in a previous match.
With the 2027 World Cup introducing a new format featuring six groups, including the top two from each pool advancing to the knockout rounds, Canada aims to break an 11-game winless streak in the tournament. The event is scheduled to take place from October 1 to November 13 across various cities in Australia, with the Wallabies opening the tournament in Perth.
This marks Canada’s fourth time being grouped with Fiji at the World Cup, with mixed results from past encounters. The tournament will also be the first time Canada faces Argentina and Spain in World Cup history. Canada missed out on the 2023 event but secured qualification for 2027 through the Pacific Nations Cup.
The tournament field includes teams that automatically qualified based on their 2023 performance and those who secured spots through regional tournaments. Spain, for instance, qualified as a runner-up in the 2025 Rugby Europe Championship.
The draw sets the stage for exciting matchups in each pool, with potential quarterfinal pairings based on group standings. The tournament promises intense competition as teams vie for the coveted title.