Draw, groups, matches, nations and format for tournament in Australia originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Rugby World Cup 2027 host Australia has received a tough path to glory with super power New Zealand drawn in their pool.

With the expanded World Cup drawing closer, the draw will commence to set the group stage matchups and the bracket, so teams will know their potential pathway to the final.

Forty-two nations have already punched their tickets to the tournament across the United States, Mexico and Canada, and they'll learn their group-stage paths on Dec. 11 when FIFA holds the official draw. The final six spots will be decided in March through UEFA and interconfederation playoffs, completing the expanded 48-team field.

Socceroos pot in World Cup draw: Where Australia will be selected for 2026 FIFA group stage originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. For the sixth consecutive occasion, Australia has qualified for the World Cup and is well-placed to get a kind group.