Women's Rugby World Cup qualification

The Rugby World Cup qualification process determines the nations that will participate at the Rugby World Cup.

History

The first three World Cups did not have any qualifying process. All the teams that attended were invited to participate. The 2002 Women's Rugby World Cup had the first and only qualification match, it was between Hong Kong and Japan, with the latter qualifying. The rest of the teams were invited to the tournament.

The 2006 Women's Rugby World Cup qualification was identical to the previous tournament as they only had one qualifying tournament in Asia. Kazakhstan qualified, although it was not their first appearance. In 2008, the Rugby World Cup Limited Board chairman, Bernard Lapasset announced a global qualification process for the 2010 Women's Rugby World Cup. ^[1] However, not all member unions of the International Rugby Board were given an opportunity to qualify.

The 2014 Women's Rugby World Cup qualification had six teams that qualified automatically and six teams that qualified via regional tournaments. Africa had its first regional qualification. ^[2]

The introduction of the repechage tournament in the 2017 World Cup qualifiers gave Hong Kong their first World Cup appearance. Seven teams automatically qualified for the tournament, England, Canada, France, Ireland, New Zealand, USA and Australia. ^[3] The remaining five spots were determined through regional tournaments. ^{[4] [5]}

Qualification competition entrants over time

Number of teams entering qualification (including automatic qualifiers)

Continental zone	1991	1994	1998	2002	2006	2010	2014	2017	2021	2025
Total berths in the World Cup	12	12	16	16	12	12	12	12	12	16
Africa	0	0	0	0	1	1	3	0	4	4
Americas	2	2	1	2	2	2	2	2	4	4
Asia	1	2	1	2	4	4	7	2	7	3
Oceania	1	0	2	3	3	2	3	4	6	6
Europe	8	8	12	10	5	8	12	12	9	8
Total entrants	12 [N 1]	12 [N 1]	12 [N 1]	17 [N 2]	19 [N 2]	24	26	20	30	25

Notes

1. There was no qualifying process for the 1991, 1994 and 1998 World Cups. Teams were instead invited.
2. The 2002 & 2006 World Cups only had a qualifying process for Asia, teams from other regions were invited.

References

1. "England awarded women's Rugby World Cup". www.insidethegames.biz. 23 August 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
2. "Road to Women's Rugby World Cup 2014 Set for Kick Off". YSCRugby | Women's Rugby News. 29 March 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
3. Client (8 November 2016). "Women's Rugby World Cup Pool Draw Live From Belfast". Leinster Rugby. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
4. "Women's Rugby World Cup pool draw live from Belfast". Ulster Rugby. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
5. Sero, Nick (12 May 2016). "2017 Women's Rugby World Cup logo revealed, key dates announced". USA Rugby. Retrieved 22 February 2022.