Two Countries Banned from 2025 and 2027 World Cup — One Was Bidding to Host

Over the years, World Rugby has shown little hesitation in enforcing bans, sometimes shocking fans and players alike. From political fallout that shook entire regions to explosive eligibility scandals that exposed the sport’s underbelly, several countries have been locked out of the tournament altogether.

Here are the four nations banned from the Rugby World Cup — and the controversies that cost them their place.

Russia’s absence from the 2023 Rugby World Cup was driven not by on-field issues but by geopolitics.

Following its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia faced sweeping international condemnation. As part of the global sporting response, World Rugby suspended both Russia and Belarus from all international and cross-border competitions.

An appeal by the Russian Rugby Federation was unsuccessful, leaving the team with no chance of qualifying for the tournament in France.

Before the suspension, Russia had announced plans to bid for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, with backing from President Vladimir Putin. The bid proposed reusing venues from the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and a committee had already been established to oversee the application.

Similarly suspended from international play and Rugby Europe membership for supporting Russia’s actions.

At the height of apartheid, South Africa was a global pariah — and rugby was no exception.

Due to its institutionalised system of racial segregation, the Springboks were barred from all international competition by the International Rugby Board (now World Rugby). As a result, they missed both the inaugural 1987 Rugby World Cup and the 1991 edition.

However, following the dismantling of apartheid laws and democratic reforms in the early 1990s, South Africa was readmitted to international rugby in 1992. Just three years later, the nation famously hosted and won the 1995 Rugby World Cup, led by captain François Pienaar and inspired by a unifying handshake from then-president Nelson Mandela.

Spain’s road to the Rugby World Cup has been plagued by eligibility controversies.

First, in 2019, Spain, Belgium and Romania were all sanctioned for fielding ineligible players during the qualification campaign — a debacle that ended up handing Russia an unexpected ticket to Japan.

Then in 2022, Spain qualified for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France for what would’ve been their first appearance in 24 years — only for the dream to be shattered again. This time, it was discovered that Spain had allegedly used a player with a forged passport during qualifying.

As a result, they were docked 10 points, booted out of the tournament, and replaced by Romania, who had finished just behind them.