2011 Rugby World Cup qualifying

For the 2011 Rugby World Cup it has yet to be decided if there are to be 16 or 20 places available in the finals tournament, held in New Zealand. Twelve teams qualify automatically by finishing in the top three positions in their respective pools in the first round of the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

Qualified teams

• Africa
  • South Africa (automatic qualifier and champions)

• Americas
  • Argentina (automatic qualifier)

• Europe
  • England (automatic qualifier)
  • France (automatic qualifier)
  • Ireland (automatic qualifier)
  • Italy (automatic qualifier)
  • Scotland (automatic qualifier)
  • Wales (automatic qualifier)

• Oceania
  • Australia (automatic qualifier)
  • Fiji (automatic qualifier)
  • New Zealand (automatic qualifier and host)
  • Tonga (automatic qualifier)

Regional qualifiers

Only 4 or 8 nations will be able to further qualify. However, the qualification may be done through a worldwide qualifying tournament along the lines of the ICC Trophy in cricket. This is yet to be confirmed but if it's the case (which is more likely if there are only four qualification spots) it will still be preceded by regional qualifiers.