- Nine referees from seven nations to referee the 18 matches hosted in July across North and South America
- The first-ever World Rugby Nations Cup kicks off in exactly one month on 4 July
- The new competition combines with the Nations Championship to provide the world’s best 24 teams with access to top-level and meaningful competition ahead of Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027
- Match official profiles are available in the Media Zone
World Rugby have confirmed the Emirates Match Official appointments for the July matches of the inaugural World Rugby Nations Cup, which take place in the Americas from 4-18 July. The new competition brings together 12 nations from rugby’s most dynamic growth markets, competing across the July and November windows in two pools of six teams.
Designed to deliver consistent, meaningful international fixtures and a compelling narrative for fans, the Nations Cup is a cornerstone of the evolving global calendar alongside the top division, the Nations Championship, strengthening competitiveness and building momentum towards an expanded 24-team Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia.
Nine referees from 10 nations will take charge of the 18 matches hosted evenly across North and South America in Canada, Chile, Uruguay and USA with a blend of standalone matches and double headers.
Seven of them will referee two matches each across the three weeks with Damián Schneider (Argentina, pictured) handed three appointments in the middle and Jérémy Rozier (France) one.
VIEW WORLD RUGBY NATIONS CUP APPOINTMENTS >>
Craig Evans (Wales) will referee the opening match of the Nations Cup 2026 in exactly one month, between Uruguay and Georgia at Estadio Charrúa in Montevideo on 4 July.
The opening round will also feature double headers in Chile and USA with Tonga v Zimbabwe and USA v Portugal in Denver, Colorado, forming part of a blockbuster celebration on American Independence Day.
World Rugby have also announced appointments for three representative games across three continents in June, including Sam Grove-White (Scotland) to referee Japan XV v Maori All Blacks on 27 June.
