2025 Women's Rugby World Cup: A Celebration of the Oval Ball

The draw for the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup has produced exciting matchups. Host and favorite England was drawn into a group with Australia and the United States, while New Zealand will face Ireland. This duel will be particularly interesting, as Ireland has both defeated New Zealand in a recent WXV match and surprised them in the group stage in 2014. The tournament reflects the enormous growth of women's rugby and features an expanded format of 16 teams, compared to 12 at the RWC 2021 in New Zealand. The "big four"—England, New Zealand, Canada, and France—are each designated as group leaders. England, having won 50 of its last 51 matches, will face Samoa in its group and is expected to advance. New Zealand, which has dominated since the first tournament in 1991, will face Ireland with the utmost respect. The group is completed by Japan and Spain. Canada, the 2014 finalist, will play against Scotland, Wales, and Fiji. France, which has placed third seven times but never reached the final, will face Italy, South Africa, and tournament newcomer Brazil. The tournament will be held from August 22 to September 27 at eight venues. It will open at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland. Among others, Brighton and Hove, Exeter, and Salford will host preliminary matches. The final in Twickenham, London, is expected to attract 82,000 fans, which would set a new attendance record for an international women's game.