Brazilian National Rugby Sevens Team Qualifies for Paris 2024 Olympics After Historic Win in Montevideo

In a thrilling and emotional final at the South American Rugby Sevens Olympic Qualifier, held in Montevideo, Uruguay, the Brazilian men’s rugby sevens team secured their place at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with a dramatic 21–19 victory over Chile — a result that marks a milestone in Brazilian rugby history.

This will be the team’s first Olympic appearance since Rio 2016, and only their second ever, symbolizing the success of a decade-long investment in the development of the sport across the country.

A Final That Defined Grit

The match against Chile was fiercely contested from the opening kickoff. Brazil took an early 14–0 lead with two clinical tries by Lucas Duque and Felipe Claro, but Chile responded strongly, leveling the score before halftime.

In the final minutes, with the match tied 19–19, Brazil earned a penalty in front of the posts. Instead of kicking for points, they chose to tap and go — a risky move that paid off when Gabriel da Rosa powered through two defenders to score the winning try.

As the final whistle blew, players dropped to their knees, overwhelmed by the significance of the moment.

“We didn’t come to play it safe — we came to make history,” said captain André Silva after the match.
“This team represents every kid who picked up a rugby ball in Brazil and dared to dream.”

From Outsiders to Olympians

Rugby sevens has historically been dominated in South America by Argentina, with Chile and Uruguay close behind. Brazil, for years considered an underdog, has steadily risen through consistent performance in the South American Sevens Series and an emphasis on homegrown development.

Key factors behind the team’s Olympic qualification include:

• CBRu’s youth academy program, which now operates in 14 states.
• Increased access to international competition, including invitations to select legs of the World Rugby Sevens Series.
• Strategic hiring of international coaching staff, blended with Brazilian assistant coaches to create a hybrid development model.

The Olympic spot also secures additional funding from Brazil’s Ministry of Sports, ensuring the team has full support heading into the Paris 2024 Games.

Rugby’s Growth in Brazil

The victory comes amid a surge in rugby interest in Brazil. According to data from the Confederação Brasileira de Rugby (CBRu):

• Over 60,000 athletes are now registered across all formats (sevens, XVs, and touch rugby).
• Women’s rugby participation has increased by 44% since 2022.
• Over 300 schools have adopted rugby-based physical education programs, particularly in underserved communities.

The Olympic qualification is expected to turbocharge awareness and participation, with national broadcasters confirming they will air all Brazil matches live during the 2024 Games — a first for Brazilian rugby.

Eye on Paris: Preparations Begin

With Paris just around the corner, the team is preparing for the most competitive stage of their careers. They will face global powerhouses like New Zealand, Fiji, South Africa, and Australia, but team officials are optimistic.

Plans for the next 12 months include:

• Training camps in France and South Africa.
• Friendly matches against top-tier opposition.
• Hiring a performance psychologist to work full-time with the squad.
• Investment in GPS-based tracking tech to improve game analytics.

Conclusion: A New Chapter for Brazilian Sport

Brazil’s qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Rugby Sevens tournament is more than a win — it’s a statement of how vision, persistence, and national pride can build greatness from the grassroots up.

In Montevideo, a group of athletes refused to play it safe — and in doing so, they kicked down the door to Olympic glory.