2026 Pacific Nations Cup
World Rugby Gift to USA
The Pacific Nations Cup has always been played between the Pacific Nations of Fiji, Tonga and Samoa. These 3 have played in all 17 previous tournaments. Japan has played the 4th most with 13 of the 17 tournaments. Samoa and Tonga are more Pacific Nations than the USA and Canada. USA and Canada have only played in 6 of the previous 17 tournaments. So why are the USA and Canada playing and Samoa and Tonga are not. It seems very odd.
Well World Rugby made this decision to assist USA, and a little Canada while they are at it. The reason is the USA has to play competitive meaningful games leading up to the 2027 Australia Rugby World Cup. World Rugby wants the USA Rugby to perform well in the World Cup since USA is hosting the next one 2031. The reason for World Rugby's positive "attitude" toward the USA is because of the USA market potential to tap. The USA has the largest economy and a massive fan base that has not come close to its potential. To gains fans, the team and nations must win games to gain interest. Who wants to watch your team get beat all the time,,,=you would lose fans.
Tonga & Samoa Out:
World Rugby told Tonga and Samoa they are out. They could do this since those two nations were invited to the Nations Cup that has all the Tier 2 nations. The Nations Cup (6 matches) is a bit more interesting since it occurs simultaneously with the World Rugby Championship (Tier 1) 12 nations tournament. World Rugby indicated they would support both Tonga and Samoa in the future.
“ World Rugby added that despite neither Samoa nor Tonga being involved in the 2026 Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup, “both unions will continue to receive targeted high-performance support and funding from World Rugby.”
The Pacific Nations Cup that will only feature Fiji, Japan, USA and Canada this year. It will be a 4 team knockout bracket. The USA will play a Tier 1 nation in Japan and either play Fiji or Canada. Fiji and Japan are Tier 1 nations but not as strong as the top teams in the Nations Championship. Fiji is o-3 with a 73-8 loss to England. Japan is 1-2 with a win against Italy. It is my belief that it would have been a bad idea to have the USA in the Tier 1 tournament. #14 ranked USA is not far behind both #9 Fiji and #10 Japan in the ranking. #24 Canada is pulling up the rear.
The USA gets to test themselves against Tier 1 teams - aka Japan\Fiji. USA Rugby I believe made a good decision not to schedule a top Tier 1 nation like Scotland and lose 73-0 like they did last year. I believe that game hurt the Rugby Eagles. Playing a closer ranked nation and having the game be very competitive is much more important. Each nation would use both their offensive and defensive skills to combat their opponent. This would not happen is a blow out game when one team is just overmatched.
I think this is a perfect competition for the USA to challenge themselves against a Tier 1 nation - Japan. If the USA wins then everyone would want better competition just to see how good your team is. The USA could play Fiji if they beat Japan to play a second Tier 1 nation. This would get the USA Rugby Eagles 2 games against Tier 1 opponents. If the USA lose, the USA will find a determined opponent in their Arch rival Canada who they have not played this year. This game would be intense. Playing Canada every year is essential and is our Arch rivals in Ice Hockey, Rugby and now a big rival in soccer.
