World Rugby announces new international competition, Know teams, divisions, time, other detail

World Rugby will organize a new competition starting in 2026. A total of 24 teams will participate in the tournament, they will be divided into two divisions with 12 teams in each. Each division will have the 10 sides from the Six Nations and Rugby Championship and two unnamed other teams. World Rugby will expand the World Cup to 24 teams from 2027. The new tournament is yet to be named.

To be played in July, November

It will replace the current summer and autumn international windows and will be played in July and November. World Rugby has made it clear that there will be no overlap between international and club fixtures for the first time in 2026.

World Rugby Chairman: Equal opportunity to all

Talking to BBC, World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said, "Agreement on the men's and women's global calendars and their content is the most significant development in the sport since the game went professional." He claimed that the new competition would supercharge the development of the sport beyond its traditional and often self-imposed boundaries. He added that it would bring an era will equal opportunity to all.

This announcement was made four days before the Rugby World Cup final, with New Zealand facing South Africa in the final in Paris on Saturday.

Confirmed teams

The teams that compete in the annual Six Nations tournament in Europe are confirmed to be participating in the top division of the new global competition. They include - England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France and Italy. Besides, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina, which compete in the southern hemisphere's Rugby Championship are also confirmed.

Speaking at the end of the Rugby World Cup pool phase earlier this month, Beaumont said that the governing body must, and will, do everything it can to provide greater certainty and opportunity of regular high-level competition for participating nations.

FAQs:

Which teams will participate in the new tournament to be launched by Rugby World?
The teams that compete in the annual Six Nations tournament in Europe are confirmed to be participating in the top division of the new global competition. They include - England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France and Italy. Besides, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina, which compete in the southern hemisphere's Rugby Championship are also confirmed.

How many teams will participate in the new tournament to be launched by Rugby World?
A total of 24 teams will participate in the tournament, they will be divided into two divisions with 12 teams in each. Each division will have the 10 sides from the Six Nations and Rugby Championship and two unnamed other teams.