View source for Touch World Cup

{{Short description|Sports tournament}}
{{Infobox sports league
| title           = Touch World Cup
| current_season  = 
| last_season     = 2019
| upcoming_season = 2023
| sport           = [[Touch (sport)|Touch]]
| logo            = 
| founded         = 1988
| inaugural       = 1988
| teams           = 28
| countries       = Australia, Belgium, Chile, China, Chinese Taipei, Cook Islands, England, Europe, France, Fiji, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, United States, Wales
| champion        = Australia
| champ_season    = 2024
| most_champs     = 
| most successful club = 
| tournament_format = Round Robin and a Finals Series
| website         = {{url|https://www.internationaltouch.org/}}
}}

The first [[Touch (sport)|Touch]] World Cup tournament was held in 1988. Touch and the Touch World Cup are monitored by the international governing body for touch the [[Federation of International Touch]] (FIT).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.internationaltouch.org/|title=Federation of International Touch|website=www.internationaltouch.org|access-date=2020-04-22}}</ref> The Touch World Cup has been hosted in five continents (Asia, Oceania, Europe, North America, Africa) but is yet to be played in South America. Australia has hosted the World Cup the most having hosted it thrice. While the number of participant teams is growing steadily, almost all finals to date have been contested between Australia and New Zealand. Australia has won the most finals.

In accordance with the rules of Touch, all World Cup matches are played on a rectangular 70m x 50m pitch.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.internationaltouch.org/media/AboutFIT/Evolution%20of%20Touch%20(23-12-10).pdf|title=Evolution of Touch}}</ref> It is played six aside with eight substitutes. The match is played for 40 minutes in two twenty-minute halves. Touch, unlike many other football variants, always uses three referees. This is the same in the Touch World Cup.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cdn.internationaltouch.org/public/FIT%205th%20Edition%20Rulebook.pdf|title=Touch Rugby Rules|website=FIT 5th Edition Rulebook|language=en-US|access-date=2023-10-26}}</ref> 
[[File:FIT FIELD.jpg|thumb|FIT Field Standards 5th Edition Rulebook]]
Touch and therefore the Touch World Cup are seen as competitors to its [[Rugby union|Rugby Union]] equivalent, [[Tag rugby]] and the Tag rugby world cup, which is held every three years, the Touch World Cup is instead held every four years much like the football and rugby (league and union) world cups.

==World Cup Venues==
Source:<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.internationaltouch.org/events/ | title=Federation of International Touch - Events }}</ref>

The following outlines the World Cups held and planned for the future.

# 1988 - {{AUS}} ([[Gold Coast, Queensland|Gold Coast]]) in 4 Divisions.
# 1991 - {{NZL}} ([[Auckland]]) in 6 Divisions.
# 1995 - {{USA}} ([[Hawaii]]) in 7 Divisions.
# 1999 - {{AUS}} ([[Sydney]]) in 8 Divisions.
# 2003 - {{JPN}} ([[Kumagaya]]) in 5 Divisions.
# 2007 - {{RSA}} ([[Stellenbosch]]) in 6 Divisions.
# 2011 - {{SCO}} ([[Edinburgh]]) in 7 Divisions.
# 2015 - {{AUS}} ([[Coffs Harbour]]) in 9 Divisions.
# 2019 - {{MAS}} ([[Putrajaya]]) in 11 Divisions.
# 2024 - {{ENG}} ([[Nottingham]]) in 13 Divisions.

==World Cup Results==

===1988 - Australia (Gold Coast)===
World Cup # : 1<br />
Dates : 14–16 November 1988<br />
Participants : 5 (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, USA)<br />
Location : [[Carrara Oval]], [[Gold Coast, Queensland|Gold Coast]], [[Queensland]], Australia<br />
'''Overall winner : Australia'''

{| class="wikitable" 
|+
! Division!! Winners !! Runners-up !! Teams
|-
|Men's Open || Australia || New Zealand || 4
|-
|Women's Open || Australia || New Zealand || 4
|-
|Mixed Open || Australia || New Zealand || 4
|-
|Men's Masters (Over 35 years)|| Australia || New Zealand || 5
|-
|}

===1991 - New Zealand (Auckland)===
World Cup # : 2<br />
Dates : 3–7 December 1991<br />
Participants : 9 (Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Japan, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tokelau)<br />
Location : [[Avondale Racecourse]], [[Auckland]], New Zealand<br />
'''Overall winner : Australia'''

{| class="wikitable" 
|+
! Division!! Winners !! Runners-up !! Teams
|-
|Men's Open || Australia || New Zealand || 9
|-
|Women's Open || Australia || New Zealand || 6
|-
|Mixed Open || Australia || New Zealand || 6
|-
|Men's Seniors (over 30 years) || Australia || New Zealand || 7
|-
|Women's Seniors (over 27 years) || New Zealand|| Australia || 5
|-
|Men's Masters (over 35 years) || Australia || New Zealand || 6
|-
|}

===1995 - USA, Hawaii (Waikiki Beach)===
World Cup # : 3<br />
Dates : 21–25 March 1995<br />
Participants : 11 (American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Japan, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, South Africa, Tonga, United States)<br />
Location : [[Kapiolani Park, Waikiki Beach, Hawaii]], United States<br />
'''Overall winner : Australia'''

{| class="wikitable" 
|+
! Division!! Winners !! Runners-up !! Teams
|-
|Men's Open || Australia || New Zealand || 8
|-
|Women's Open || Australia || New Zealand || 6
|-
|Mixed Open || Australia || New Zealand || 8
|-
|Men's Over 30 Years|| Australia || New Zealand || 7
|-
|Women's Over 30 Years|| Australia || New Zealand || 5
|-
|Men's Over 35 Years|| Australia || New Zealand || 5
|-
|Men's Over 40 Years|| Australia || New Zealand || 3
|-
|}

===1999 - Australia (Sydney)===
World Cup # : 4<br />
Dates : 21–24 April 1999<br />
Participants : 19 (Australia, Cook Islands, England, Fiji, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Scotland, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Tokelau, Tonga, USA, Wales)<br />
Location : [[David Phillips Sports Fields]], [[Daceyville]], [[Sydney]], Australia<br />
'''Overall winner : Australia'''

{| class="wikitable" 
|+
! Division!! Winners !! Runners-up !! Teams
|-
|Men's Open || Australia || New Zealand || 13
|-
|Women's Open || Australia || New Zealand || 8
|-
|Mixed Open || New Zealand || Australia || 15
|-
|Men's Over 30 Years|| Australia || Lebanon || 12
|-
|Women's Over 30 Years|| Australia || New Zealand || 5
|-
|Mixed Over 30 Years || New Zealand || Australia || 5
|-
|Men's Over 35 Years|| Australia || New Zealand || 4
|-
|Men's Over 40 Years|| Australia || New Zealand || 5
|-
|}

===2003 - Japan (Kumagaya)===
World Cup # : 5<br />
Dates : 24–28 May 2003<br />
Participants : 10 (Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Niue, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, USA, Wales)<br />
Location : [[Kumagaya Rugby Complex]], [[Kumagaya]], Japan<br />
'''Overall winner : Australia'''

{| class="wikitable" 
|+
! Division!! Winners !! Runners-up !! Teams
|-
|Men's Open || Australia || New Zealand || 6
|-
|Women's Open || Australia || New Zealand || 5
|-
|Mixed Open || Australia || New Zealand || 7
|-
|Men's Over 30 Years|| Australia || New Zealand || 5
|-
|Men's Over 35 Years|| Australia || New Zealand || 4
|-
|}

===2007 - South Africa (Stellenbosch)===
World Cup # : 6<br />
Dates : 17–21 January 2007<br />
Participants : 15 (Australia, England, Fiji, France, Japan, Jersey, Lebanon, New Zealand, Samoa, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, USA, Wales)<br />
Location : [[Danie Craven Stadium]], [[Stellenbosch]], [[South Africa]]<br />
'''Overall winner : Australia'''

{| class="wikitable" 
|+
! Division!! Winners !! Runners-up !! Teams
|-
|Men's Open || Australia || New Zealand || 8
|-
|Women's Open || Australia || New Zealand || 8
|-
|Mixed Open || New Zealand || Australia || 6
|-
|Mixed 30s || New Zealand || Australia || 7
|-
|Men's Over 30 Years|| Australia || Samoa || 8
|-
|Men's Over 35 Years|| Australia || South Africa || 4
|-
|}

===2011 - Scotland (Edinburgh)===
World Cup # : 7<br />
Dates : 22–26 June 2011<br />
Participants : 26 (Australia, Austria, Belgium, Catalonia, Cook Islands, England, Fiji, France, Germany, Guernsey, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niue, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, United States and Wales)<br />
Location : Peffermill Sports Centre, [[Edinburgh]], Scotland<br />
'''Overall winner : Australia'''

{| class="wikitable" 
|+
! Division!! Winners<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.touchworldcup2011.co.uk/media/uploads/downloads/TWC2011%20Finishing%20Positions%20OPEN%20Category%20(27-06-11).pdf| title=Open Category Standings| publisher=2011 Touch World Cup}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.touchworldcup2011.co.uk/media/uploads/downloads/TWC2011%20Finishing%20Positions%20SENIOR%20Category%20(28-06-11).pdf| title= Senior category Standings| publisher=2011 Touch World Cup}}</ref> !! Runners-up !! Teams
|-
|Men's Open || Australia || New Zealand || 15
|-
|Women's Open || Australia || New Zealand || 11
|-
|Mixed Open || Australia || New Zealand || 19
|-
|Senior Mixed || New Zealand || Australia || 7
|-
|Men's Over 30 Years|| Australia || England || 10
|-
|Men's Over 35 Years|| Australia || South Africa || 11
|-
|Men's Over 40 Years|| New Zealand || Australia || 10
|-
|}

===2015 - Australia (Coffs Harbour)===
World Cup # : 8<br />
Dates : 29 April - 3 May 2015<br />
Participants : 25 (Australia, Chile, China, Cook Islands, England, France, Fiji, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Middle East Touch, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, United States, Wales)<br />
Teams: 90<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-04-30/world27s-best-touch-footballers-descend-on-coffs-harbour/6433268 |title=World's best touch footballers descend on Coffs Harbour |author=Tom Lowrey |newspaper=ABC News |date=30 April 2015 |access-date=10 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/touch-world-cup-officially-launched/tabid/10874/newsid/85646/default.aspx |title=Touch World Cup officially launched |author=NRL.com |date=24 April 2015 |access-date=10 May 2015}}</ref><br />
Location : [[Coffs Harbour International Stadium]], [[Coffs Harbour]], Australia<br />
'''Overall winner : Australia'''

{| class="wikitable" 
|+
! Division!! Winners<ref name=":0">{{cite web| url=http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-9035-0-360314-0&a=COMPS| title=Draws and Results| publisher=Touch World Cup 2015}}</ref>!! Runners-up !! Teams
|-
|Men's Open || Australia || New Zealand || 16
|-
|Women's Open || Australia || New Zealand || 14
|-
|Mixed Open || Australia || New Zealand || 22
|-
|Women's Over 27 Years || Australia || New Zealand || 5
|-
|Senior Mixed || Australia || New Zealand || 6
|-
|Men's Over 30 Years|| Australia || Cook Islands || 7
|-
|Men's Over 35 Years|| New Zealand || Australia || 6
|-
|Men's Over 40 Years|| Australia || New Zealand || 9
|-
|Men's Over 50 Years|| Australia || Italy || 5
|-
|}

===2019 - Malaysia (Putrajaya)===
World Cup # : 9<br />
Dates : 29 April - 4 May 2019<br />
Participants : 28 (Australia, Belgium, Chile, China, Chinese Taipei, Cook Islands, England, Europe, France, Fiji, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, United States, Wales)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.internationaltouch.org/events/world-cup/2019/|title=Federation of International Touch - World Cup - 2019|website=www.internationaltouch.org|access-date=2019-08-30}}</ref><br />
Location : Taman Ekuestrian, [[Putrajaya]], [[Malaysia]]<br />
'''Overall winner : Australia'''

'''Overall Runners up : New Zealand''' 
[[File:Flag of Australia (Brighter).svg|thumb|Overall Winners, Australia]]
[[File:Flag of New Zealand.svg|thumb|Overall Runners Up, New Zealand]]

{| class="wikitable" 
|+
! Division!! Winners<ref name=":0" />!! Runners-up 
!3rd Place!! Teams
|-
|Men's Open || Australia || New Zealand 
|Japan|| 16
|-
|Women's Open || Australia || New Zealand 
|Japan|| 17
|-
|Mixed Open || Australia || New Zealand 
|Scotland|| 22
|-
|Women's Over 27 Years || New Zealand || Australia 
|England|| 7
|-
|Senior Mixed (over 30 years) || Australia || Cook Islands 
|New Zealand|| 11
|-
|Men's Over 30 Years|| Australia || South Africa 
|France|| 8
|-
|Men's Over 35 Years|| Australia || New Zealand 
|Cook Islands|| 6
|-
|Women's Over 35 Years
|Australia
|New Zealand
|England
|4
|-
|Men's Over 40 Years|| New Zealand || Australia 
|Japan|| 13
|-
|Men's Over 45 Years
|Australia
|New Zealand
|South Africa
|6
|-
|Men's Over 50 Years|| New Zealand || Australia 
|Singapore|| 6
|-
|}

During the 2019 Touch World Cup, all divisions consisted of a round robin of 1 or more groups, and a finals series. Some groups also consisted of a playoff series.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.internationaltouch.org/events/world-cup/2019/|title=Federation of International Touch - World Cup - 2019|website=www.internationaltouch.org|access-date=2020-04-22}}</ref>
===2024 - England (Nottingham)===
World Cup # : 10<br />
Dates : 15 - 21 July 2024<br />
Participants : 35 (Australia, Belgium, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Chinese Taipei, Cook Islands, England, Fiji, France, Germany, Guernsey, Hong Kong China, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Middle East Touch, Netherlands, New Zealand, [[Rugby in Oman|Oman]], Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Portugal, Samoa, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tonga, United States, Wales)<br />
Location : [[University of Nottingham]]<br />
'''Overall winner : Australia'''

'''Overall Runners up : New Zealand''' 
[[File:Flag of Australia (Brighter).svg|thumb|Overall Winners, Australia]]
[[File:Flag of New Zealand.svg|thumb|Overall Runners Up, New Zealand]]

{| class="wikitable" 
|+
! Division!! Winners!! Runners-up 
!3rd Place!! Teams
|-
|Men's Open || Australia || New Zealand 
|Lebanon|| 18
|-
|Women's Open || Australia || New Zealand 
|England|| 21
|-
|Mixed Open || Australia || New Zealand 
|England|| 29
|-
|Women's Over 27 Years || Australia || England 
|South Africa|| 10
|-
|Men's Over 30 Years|| Australia || New Zealand
|England|| 19
|-
|Mixed Over 30 Years|| Australia || New Zealand
|England|| 17
|-
|Men's Over 35 Years|| Australia || New Zealand 
|South Africa|| 8
|-
|Women's Over 35 Years
|Australia
|England
|South Africa
|8
|-
|Men's Over 40 Years|| New Zealand || Australia 
|England|| 17
|-
|Women's Over 40 Years|| Australia || New Zealand
|England|| 5
|-
|Men's Over 45 Years
|Australia
|New Zealand
|France
|14
|-
|Men's Over 50 Years|| Australia || New Zealand 
|England|| 15
|-
|Men's Over 55 Years|| Australia || New Zealand 
|England|| 5
|-
|}

Full results are available on the FIT website.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.internationaltouch.org/events/world-cup/2024/ | title=Federation of International Touch - World Cup - 2024 }}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{More citations needed|date=November 2009}}

== External links ==
*[http://www.touchworldcup2011.co.uk/ 2011 World Cup website]

{{Main world cups}}

[[Category:Touch competitions]]
[[Category:World championships in rugby league|Touch]]
[[Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1988]]
[[Category:Annual sporting events]]