Nations Cup 2026 round four preview: Hong Kong China v USA

Venue: Stade Marcel-Verchère, Bourg-en-Bresse, France
Referee: Luc Ramos (France)

Hong Kong China and the USA have met eight times previously with both sides picking up four wins apiece so far, although the only meeting this century came in 2022, with the USA winning that encounter 49-7 in the RWC 2023 Final Qualification Tournament in Dubai.

USA go into Sunday’s match top of their pool after three straight wins in July and buoyed by a recent intensive two-week training camp on home soil.

The fortnight’s preparation included games against an Australia A/XV side in Nashville and New Jersey as the Eagles look to build on Nations Cup wins over Portugal, Spain, and Zimbabwe in July.

Hong Kong China have won four of their last six games against sides from the Americas, including their most recent (a 42-40 win over Uruguay), which was also the first time they’ve both scored and conceded 40+ points in a test match.