Women's Rugby World Cup 2025: U.S. Team Exits Early, England Advances to Quarterfinals

What's Happening?

The 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup is currently underway, with matches taking place across England from August 22 to September 27. The United States women's rugby team, led by Ilona Maher, did not advance past the group stage, exiting the tournament early. England, a dominant force in women's rugby, has advanced to the quarterfinals, joining teams like South Africa, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, France, Ireland, and Scotland. The final match, scheduled for September 27, has already sold out London's Twickenham Stadium, indicating the growing popularity of women's rugby. The tournament features 16 nations competing in four pools, with matches available for streaming on platforms such as Paramount+, CBS Sports, Fubo TV, DirecTV, and Hulu + Live TV.

Why It's Important?

The early exit of the U.S. team highlights the competitive nature of the Women's Rugby World Cup and the challenges faced by teams in advancing through the group stages. England's continued success underscores their historical strength in the sport, having appeared in nearly every championship final since the tournament's inception in 1991. The sold-out final at Twickenham Stadium reflects the increasing global interest in women's rugby, which could lead to greater investment and development in the sport. This growing popularity may also influence broadcasting rights and sponsorship deals, benefiting the sport's stakeholders and potentially inspiring more young athletes to pursue rugby.

What's Next?

As the tournament progresses, attention will turn to the quarterfinals and subsequent matches leading up to the final. Stakeholders, including broadcasters and sponsors, will likely focus on capitalizing on the heightened interest in women's rugby. The performance of teams like England could influence future strategies for national teams and rugby organizations worldwide. Additionally, the U.S. team's early exit may prompt a reassessment of training and development programs to enhance competitiveness in future international tournaments.