Of the twenty-four teams in the 1997 Rugby World Cup Sevens, three were automatically qualified: 1993 champions England, runners-up Australia and hosts Hong Kong. The other twenty-one slots were contested by sixty-four national teams in three tournaments: Lisbon, Dubai and Punta del Este, with the quarterfinalists of the first two tournaments, then the semifinalists and Plate winner of the third advancing.^[1] Through qualifying through their tournaments, Cook Islands, Morocco, Portugal and Zimbabwe all made their first World Cup appearance.^[2]

Pool A

Teams	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
Ireland	2	2	0	0	153	0	+153	6
Hungary	2	1	0	1	19	90	−71	4
Norway	2	0	0	2	10	92	−82	2

Matches
1 June 1996 Ireland  80−0  Hungary 1 June 1996 Norway  0−19  Hungary 1 June 1996 Ireland  73−0  Norway

Pool B

Teams	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
New Zealand	2	2	0	0	165	0	+165	6
Moldova	2	1	0	1	31	111	−80	4
Lithuania	2	0	0	2	19	104	−85	2

Matches
1 June 1996 New Zealand  73−0  Lithuania 1 June 1996 Moldova  31−19  Lithuania 1 June 1996 New Zealand  92−0  Moldova

Pool C

Teams	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
Spain	2	2	0	0	83	3	+80	6
Belgium	2	1	0	1	69	24	+45	4
Bulgaria	2	0	0	2	0	125	−125	2

Matches
1 June 1996 Spain  59−0  Bulgaria 1 June 1996 Belgium  66−0  Bulgaria 1 June 1996 Spain  24−3  Belgium

Pool D

Teams	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
South Korea	2	2	0	0	105	12	+93	6
Croatia	2	1	0	1	22	91	−69	'4
Sweden	2	0	0	2	19	43	−24	2

Matches
1 June 1996 South Korea  79−5  Croatia 1 June 1996 Sweden  12−17  Croatia 1 June 1996 South Korea  26−7  Sweden

Pool E

Teams	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
Canada	2	2	0	0	78	0	+78	6
Ukraine	2	1	0	1	36	35	+1	4
Switzerland	2	0	0	2	0	79	−79	2

Matches
1 June 1996 Canada  43−0   Switzerland 1 June 1996 Ukraine  36−0   Switzerland 1 June 1996 Canada  35−0  Ukraine

Pool F

Teams	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
Namibia	2	2	0	0	118	19	+99	6
Georgia	2	1	0	1	47	66	−19	4
Austria	2	0	0	2	14	94	−80	2

Matches
1 June 1996 Namibia  59−7  Austria 1 June 1996 Georgia  35−7  Austria 1 June 1996 Namibia  59−12  Georgia

Pool G

Teams	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
Romania	2	2	0	0	131	0	+131	6
Poland	2	1	0	1	52	62	−10	4
Andorra	2	0	0	2	5	126	−121	2

Matches
1 June 1996 Romania  74−0  Andorra 1 June 1996 Poland  52−5  Andorra 1 June 1996 Romania  57−0  Poland

Pool H

Teams	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
Portugal	2	2	0	0	94	12	+82	6
Latvia	2	1	0	1	41	59	−18	4
Luxembourg	2	0	0	2	24	88	−64	2

Matches
1 June 1996 Latvia  41−12  Luxembourg 1 June 1996 Portugal  47−12  Luxembourg 1 June 1996 Latvia  0−47  Portugal

Pool A

Teams	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
New Zealand	2	2	0	0	155	10	+145	6
Luxembourg	2	1	0	1	36	66	−30	4
Hungary	2	0	0	2	0	115	−115	2

Matches
2 June 1996 New Zealand  66−10  Luxembourg 2 June 1996 Hungary  0−26  Luxembourg 2 June 1996 New Zealand  89−0  Hungary

Pool B

Teams	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
Ireland	2	2	0	0	80	10	+70	6
Sweden	2	1	0	1	38	43	−5	4
Croatia	2	0	0	2	10	75	−65	2

Matches
2 June 1996 Ireland  33−10  Sweden 2 June 1996 Croatia  10−28  Sweden 2 June 1996 Ireland  47−0  Croatia

Pool C

Teams	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
Romania	2	2	0	0	136	7	+129	6
Moldova	2	1	0	1	12	84	−72	4
Lithuania	2	0	0	2	14	71	−57	2

Matches
2 June 1996 Romania  59−7  Lithuania 2 June 1996 Moldova  12−7  Lithuania 2 June 1996 Romania  77−0  Moldova

Pool D

Teams	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
Namibia	2	2	0	0	68	14	+54	6
Ukraine	2	1	0	1	50	26	+24	4
Austria	2	0	0	2	12	90	−78	2

Matches
2 June 1996 Namibia  47−7  Austria 2 June 1996 Ukraine  43−5  Austria 2 June 1996 Namibia  21−7  Ukraine

Pool E

Teams	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
South Korea	2	2	0	0	87	19	+68	6
Latvia	2	1	0	1	31	45	−14	4
Norway	2	0	0	2	24	78	−54	2

Matches
2 June 1996 South Korea  59−7  Norway 2 June 1996 Latvia  19−17  Norway 2 June 1996 South Korea  28−12  Latvia

Pool F

Teams	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
Portugal	2	2	0	0	119	17	+102	6
Georgia	2	1	0	1	38	61	−23	4
Andorra	2	0	0	2	15	94	−79	2

Matches
2 June 1996 Portugal  63−10  Andorra 2 June 1996 Georgia  31−5  Andorra 2 June 1996 Portugal  56−7  Georgia

Pool G

Teams	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
Spain	2	2	0	0	70	14	+56	6
Poland	2	1	0	1	49	28	+21	4
Switzerland	2	0	0	2	7	84	−77	2

Matches
2 June 1996 Spain  42−7   Switzerland 2 June 1996 Poland  42−0   Switzerland 2 June 1996 Spain  28−7  Poland

Pool H

Teams	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
Canada	2	2	0	0	141	0	+141	6
Belgium	2	1	0	1	61	61	+0	4
Bulgaria	2	0	0	2	0	141	−141	2

Matches
2 June 1996 Canada  80−0  Bulgaria 2 June 1996 Belgium  61−0  Bulgaria 2 June 1996 Canada  61−0  Belgium

Pool A

Teams	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
Fiji	2	2	0	0	96	12	+84	6
Russia	2	1	0	1	50	29	+21	4
Botswana	2	0	0	2	3	108	−105	2

Matches
22 November 1996 Fiji  26−12  Russia 22 November 1996 Botswana  3−38  Russia 22 November 1996 Fiji  70−0  Botswana

Pool B

Teams	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
South Africa	2	2	0	0	127	5	+122	6
Czech Republic	2	1	0	1	24	97	−73	4
Malaysia	2	0	0	2	19	78	−59	2

Matches
22 November 1996 South Africa  54−0  Malaysia 22 November 1996 Czech Republic  24−19  Malaysia 22 November 1996 South Africa  73−5  Czech Republic

Pool C

Teams	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
Tonga	2	2	0	0	78	7	+71	6
Denmark	2	1	0	1	26	47	−21	4
Kenya	2	0	0	2	12	62	−50	2

Matches
22 November 1996 Tonga  35−7  Denmark 22 November 1996 Kenya  12−19  Denmark 22 November 1996 Tonga  43−0  Kenya

Pool D

Teams	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
Wales	2	2	0	0	108	14	+94	6
Zimbabwe	2	1	0	1	68	31	+37	4
Singapore	2	0	0	2	0	131	−131	2

Matches
22 November 1996 Wales  77−0  Singapore 22 November 1996 Zimbabwe  54−0  Singapore 22 November 1996 Wales  31−14  Zimbabwe

Pool E

Teams	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
Scotland	2	2	0	0	146	5	+141	6
Serbia and Montenegro	2	1	0	1	19	64	−45	4
Zambia	2	0	0	2	5	101	−96	2

Matches
22 November 1996 Scotland  87−0  Zambia 22 November 1996 Serbia and Montenegro  14−5  Zambia 22 November 1996 Scotland  59−5  Serbia and Montenegro

Pool F

Teams	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
United States	2	2	0	0	93	5	+88	6
Ivory Coast	2	1	0	1	36	43	−7	4
Sri Lanka	2	0	0	2	10	91	−81	2

Matches
22 November 1996 United States  60−0  Sri Lanka 23 November 1996 Ivory Coast  31−10  Sri Lanka 22 November 1996 United States  33−5  Ivory Coast

Pool G

Teams	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
Morocco	2	2	0	0	45	5	+40	6
Italy	2	1	0	1	46	7	+39	4
Thailand	2	0	0	2	0	79	−79	2

Matches
22 November 1996 Italy  41−0  Thailand 22 November 1996 Morocco  38−0  Thailand 22 November 1996 Italy  5−7  Morocco

Pool H

Teams	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
Arabian Gulf	2	2	0	0	45	29	+16	6
Chinese Taipei	2	1	0	1	51	31	+20	4
Tunisia	2	0	0	2	22	58	−36	2

Matches
22 November 1996 Arabian Gulf 24−12  Tunisia 22 November 1996 Chinese Taipei  34−10  Tunisia 22 November 1996 Arabian Gulf 21−17  Chinese Taipei

Pool A

Teams	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
Scotland	2	2	0	0	85	21	+64	6
Tunisia	2	1	0	1	31	38	−7	4
Serbia and Montenegro	2	0	0	2	5	62	−57	2

Matches
23 November 1996 Scotland  33−21  Tunisia 23 November 1996 Serbia and Montenegro  5−10  Tunisia 23 November 1996 Scotland  52−0  Serbia and Montenegro

Pool B

Teams	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
South Africa	2	2	0	0	126	7	+119	6
Denmark	2	1	0	1	40	66	−26	4
Malaysia	2	0	0	2	7	100	−93	2

Matches
23 November 1996 Denmark  33−7  Malaysia 23 November 1996 South Africa  59−7  Denmark 23 November 1996 South Africa  67−0  Malaysia

Pool C

Teams	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
Wales	2	2	0	0	111	21	+90	6
Czech Republic	2	1	0	1	31	71	−40	4
Kenya	2	0	0	2	12	62	−50	2

Matches
23 November 1996 Wales  66−14  Czech Republic 23 November 1996 Czech Republic  17−5  Kenya 23 November 1996 Wales  45−7  Kenya

Pool D

Teams	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
United States	2	2	0	0	69	0	+69	6
Ivory Coast	2	1	0	1	19	37	−18	4
Sri Lanka	2	0	0	2	13	64	−51	2

Matches
23 November 1996 United States  45−0  Sri Lanka 23 November 1996 Ivory Coast  19−13  Sri Lanka 23 November 1996 United States  24−0  Ivory Coast

Pool E

Teams	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
Fiji	2	2	0	0	157	5	+152	6
Russia	2	1	0	1	55	68	−13	4
Zambia	2	0	0	2	12	151	−139	2

Matches
23 November 1996 Fiji  101−0  Zambia 23 November 1996 Russia  50−12  Zambia 23 November 1996 Fiji  56−5  Russia

Pool F

Teams	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
Tonga	2	2	0	0	93	17	+76	6
Chinese Taipei	2	1	0	1	60	41	+19	4
Singapore	2	0	0	2	19	114	−95	2

Matches
23 November 1996 Tonga  34−5  Chinese Taipei 23 November 1996 Chinese Taipei  55−7  Singapore 23 November 1996 Tonga  59−12  Singapore

Pool G

Teams	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
Morocco	2	2	0	0	41	6	+35	6
Italy	2	1	0	1	45	28	+17	4
Botswana	2	0	0	2	13	65	−52	2

Matches
23 November 1996 Morocco  20−6  Botswana 23 November 1996 Italy  45−7  Botswana 23 November 1996 Morocco  21−0  Italy

Pool H

Teams	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
Zimbabwe	2	2	0	0	92	19	+73	6
Arabian Gulf	2	1	0	1	53	42	+11	4
Thailand	2	0	0	2	14	98	−84	2

Matches
23 November 1996 Arabian Gulf 41−7  Thailand 23 November 1996 Zimbabwe  57−7  Thailand 23 November 1996 Arabian Gulf 12−35  Zimbabwe

Pool A

Teams	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
Japan	3	2	0	1	87	33	+54	7
Chile	3	2	0	1	68	26	+42	7
Netherlands	3	2	0	1	50	19	+31	7
Tahiti	3	0	0	3	0	127	−127	3

Matches
5 January 1997 Japan  54−0  Tahiti 5 January 1997 Netherlands  12−0  Chile 5 January 1997 Chile  47−0  Tahiti 5 January 1997 Japan  19−12  Netherlands 5 January 1997 Netherlands  26−0  Tahiti 5 January 1997 Japan  14−21  Chile

Pool B

Teams	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
Samoa	3	3	0	0	174	15	+159	9
Trinidad and Tobago	3	2	0	1	34	81	−47	7
Israel	3	1	0	2	27	108	−81	5
Paraguay	3	0	0	3	33	74	−41	3

Matches
5 January 1997 Samoa  68−0  Israel 5 January 1997 Trinidad and Tobago  15−7  Paraguay 5 January 1997 Samoa  59−0  Trinidad and Tobago 5 January 1997 Israel  12−11  Paraguay 5 January 1997 Samoa  47−15  Paraguay 5 January 1997 Trinidad and Tobago  19−15  Israel

Pool C

Teams	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
Argentina	3	3	0	0	125	5	+120	9
Germany	3	2	0	1	92	67	+25	7
Papua New Guinea	3	1	0	2	57	59	−2	5
Bermuda	3	0	0	3	19	162	−143	3

Matches
5 January 1997 Argentina  63−0  Bermuda 5 January 1997 Germany  28−17  Papua New Guinea 5 January 1997 Argentina  24−0  Papua New Guinea 5 January 1997 Germany  59−12  Bermuda 5 January 1997 Argentina  38−5  Germany 5 January 1997 Papua New Guinea  40−7  Bermuda

Pool D

Teams	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
France	3	3	0	0	109	12	+97	9
Cook Islands	3	2	0	1	58	43	+15	7
Uruguay	3	1	0	2	60	62	−2	5
Bahamas	3	0	0	3	22	132	−110	3

Matches
5 January 1997 France  55−0  Bahamas 5 January 1997 Cook Islands  17−12  Uruguay 5 January 1997 France  28−12  Uruguay 5 January 1997 Cook Islands  41−5  Bahamas 5 January 1997 France  26−0  Cook Islands 5 January 1997 Uruguay  36−17  Bahamas

Pool A

Teams	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
Samoa	3	3	0	0	142	14	+128	9
Japan	3	2	0	1	71	53	+18	7
Germany	3	1	0	2	27	99	−72	5
Netherlands	3	0	0	3	22	96	−74	3

Matches
6 January 1997 Samoa  54−0  Germany 6 January 1997 Japan  24−10  Netherlands 6 January 1997 Netherlands  5−22  Germany 6 January 1997 Samoa  38−7  Japan 6 January 1997 Japan  40−5  Germany 6 January 1997 Samoa  50−7  Netherlands

Pool B

Teams	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/−	Pts
France	3	3	0	0	83	0	+83	9
Cook Islands	3	1	1	1	36	66	−30	6
Argentina	3	1	0	2	43	57	−14	5
Chile	3	0	1	2	33	72	−39	4

Matches
6 January 1997 Argentina  0−26  France 6 January 1997 Chile  19−19  Cook Islands 6 January 1997 France  35−0  Cook Islands 6 January 1997 Argentina  31−14  Chile 6 January 1997 France  22−0  Chile 6 January 1997 Argentina  12−17  Cook Islands

Plate

	Semi-finals				Plate/Qualifier Final
	6 January 1997
	Germany	24
					6 January 1997
	Chile	19
					Germany	12
	6 January 1997
					Argentina	49
	Netherlands	5
	Argentina	40

Cup

	Semi-finals				Final
	6 January 1997
	Samoa	45
					6 January 1997
	Cook Islands	7
					Samoa	14
	6 January 1997
					France	35
	Japan	14
	France	24
					Third place
					6 January 1997
					Cook Islands	31
					Japan	26