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Only Canada and the USA will compete in North American RWC 2023 qualifiers. Rugby Americas North (RAN) confirmed the decision, citing ongoing disruptions caused by COVID-19.
The outcome means that Mexico and Caribbean members of RAN nations will not have an opportunity to compete in the RWC 2023 qualifiers which begin this year. In short, Canada and the USA automatically represent RAN in the RWC 2023 qualifiers.
In November 2021, South America 1 (SAR 1) will face North America 1 (RAN 1). The RAN 1 side will be the winner of the Canada vs USA qualifying series. The winner of the RAN 1 vs SAR 1 series will qualify for RWC 2023 as Americas 1.
The runner-up of RAN 1 vs SAR 1 will not be eliminated. Instead, this team will await the winner of RAN 2 vs SAR 2. The winner of that series will qualify for RWC 2023 as Americas 2. The loser will enter the Repechage as Americas 3.
The repechage format for RWC 2023 resembles that of RWC 2019. On that occasion Canada faced Germany, Hong Kong, and Kenya. For RWC 2023 the Americas 3 country will compete against Africa 2, Europe 3 and Asia / Pacific 2 in the global Repechage. The winner will qualify for RWC 2023.
The match dates and venues for the RAN RWC 2023 qualifiers are yet to be announced. Canada and the USA have been the top two from North America since rugby rankings began in 2003. Today the USA is 16th and Canada is 22nd in the world.
