S\u00e3o Paulo \u2013 The Brazilian men\u2019s rugby team will play two more matches in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to determine its qualification for the 2027 World Cup in Australia. The first match took place on Saturday (8) against Samoa, but Brazil\u2019s team lost. However, two games remain\u2014one on Thursday (13) against Belgium and another on Tuesday (18) against Namibia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the team manager, Bruno Bragante Lopez, to secure the spot the team must win its next two matches and hope for a negative result from Samoa. If two teams win two games each, there is still a possibility of a tiebreaker based on the total number of points scored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Brazilian team has the support of its fans. According to Lopez, there was strong backing on social media during the match against Samoa, as well as the presence of supporters in the stadium. \u201cThere\u2019s a large Brazilian community here in Dubai, and even those who couldn\u2019t attend the first match sent positive messages to the players,\u201d he said in an interview with ANBA from Dubai, where he is accompanying the team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rugby has many fans in the UAE, as there is a large European community living in the country and the sport is very popular in Europe. According to the manager, both children and adults practice the sport in the UAE. \u201cAt the venue where we\u2019re competing, The Sevens Stadium, there are eight rugby fields with daily training sessions,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Lopez, the Brazilian men\u2019s rugby team is feeling confident about the upcoming challenges. \u201cIn the first match, despite the defeat, we had good moments that showed us the team is improving both technically and mentally,\u201d he said. Attendance at the matches is free of charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The tournament in Dubai is a global repechage for the Rugby World Cup qualifiers. Only four teams are taking part\u2014Brazil, Samoa, Belgium, and Namibia\u2014and there\u2019s just one spot at stake. Brazil, whose national team is known as the Tupis, earned its place in the competition following Paraguay\u2019s withdrawal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Brazilians had never faced the Samoan team before, and it will also be their first time playing against Namibia. Against Belgium, however, the Tupis have a positive record\u2014they\u2019ve met twice and won both times, the most recent in 2024. Brazil\u2019s matches will take place at 5 p.m. (Dubai time) on both the 13th<\/sup> and the 18th<\/sup>. The Brazilian team\u2019s head coach and technical director is Josh Reeves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The lineup announced by the Brazilian Rugby Confederation<\/a> for the match against Belgium includes Thiago Oviedo, Th\u00e9o Bastardie, Lorenzo Massari, Raphael \u201cRaff\u201d Hollister, Robert Ten\u00f3rio, Jo\u00e3o Amaral, Lucas Spago, Andr\u00e9 Arruda, Matheus Cl\u00e1udio, Adrio de Melo, Gabriel \u201cF\u00faria\u201d Oliveira, Matteo Dell\u2019Acqua, Wilton \u201cNelson\u201d Rebolo, Henrique Ferreira, and Caique Segura. The substitutes are Yan Rosetti, Brendon Alves, Leonel Moreno, Ben Donald, H\u00e9lder L\u00facio, Devon Muller, Gustavo Gobeti, and Lucas \u201cZ\u00e9\u201d Tranquez.<\/p>\n\n\n\n More information about the matches and how to take part can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read more<\/em>: Translated by Guilherme Miranda<\/strong><\/p>\n
Qatar, Saudi Arabia qualify for World Cup<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n