New Zealand will begin their quest for a third successive Rugby World Cup title with a heavyweight clash against South Africa at the 2019 tournament in Japan.
The All Blacks are scheduled to face their old southern hemisphere foes in Yokohama on September 21, a day after hosts Japan kick off the competition against Europe's top qualifier, likely to be Romania, organisers announced in Tokyo on Thursday.
France, drawn in the so-called "Group of Death" alongside England and Argentina, also open their campaign on September 21 with a key Pool C fixture against the Pumas in Tokyo.
Title contenders England take on Tonga in the northern Japanese city of Sapporo the following day.
Two-time champions Australia face a potentially tricky opener against Fiji in Pool D, where Wales open against Georgia.
Matches will be played at 12 venues including Kamaishi in northeast Japan, which was ravaged by the 2011 tsunami and resulting nuclear disaster.
POOL A
Sept. 20 Japan v Europe 1, Tokyo
Sept. 22 Ireland v Scotland, Yokohama
Sept. 24 Europe 1 v Playoff winner, Kumagaya
Sept. 28 Japan v Ireland, Shizuoka
Sept. 30 Scotland v Playoff winner, Kobe
Oct. 3 Ireland v Europe 1, Kobe
Oct. 5 Japan v Playoff winner, Toyota
Oct. 9 Scotland v Europe 1, Shizuoka
Oct. 12 Ireland v Playoff winner, Fukuoka
Oct. 13 Japan v Scotland, Yokohama
POOL B
Sept. 21 New Zealand v South Africa, Yokohama
Sept. 22 Italy v Africa 1, Osaka
Sept. 26 Italy v Repechage winner, Fukuoka
Sept. 28 South Africa v Africa 1, Toyota
Oct. 2 New Zealand v Repechage winner, Oita
Oct. 4 South Africa v Italy, Shizuoka
Oct. 6 New Zealand v Africa 1, Tokyo
Oct. 8 South Africa v Repechage winner, Kobe
Oct. 12 New Zealand v Italy, Toyota
Oct. 13 Africa 1 v Repechage winner, Kamaishi
POOL C
Sept. 21 France v Argentina, Tokyo
Sept. 22 England v Tonga, Sapporo
Sept. 26 England v United States, Kobe
Sept. 28 Argentina v Tonga, Osaka
Oct. 2 France v United States, Fukuoka
Oct. 5 England v Argentina, Tokyo
Oct. 6 France v Tonga, Kumamoto
Oct. 9 Argentina v United States, Kumagaya
Oct. 12 England v France, Yokohama
Oct. 13 United States v Tonga, Osaka
POOL D
Sept. 21 Australia v Fiji, Sapporo
Sept 23 Wales v Georgia, Toyota
Sept. 25 Fiji v Americas 2, Kamaishi
Sept. 29 Georgia v Americas 2, Kumagaya
Sept. 29 Australia v Wales, Tokyo
Oct. 3 Georgia v Fiji, Osaka
Oct. 5 Australia v Americas 2, Oita
Oct. 9 Wales v Fiji, Oita
Oct. 11 Australia v Georgia, Shizuoka
Oct. 13 Wales v Americas 2, Kunamoto
Quarter-finals
Oct. 19 Winner Pool C v Runner-up Pool D, Oita (QF1)
Oct. 19 Winner Pool B v Runner-up Pool A, Tokyo (QF2)
Oct. 20 Winner Pool D v Runner-up Pool C, Oita (QF3)
Oct. 20 Winner Pool A v Runner-up Pool B, Tokyo (QF4)
Semi-finals
Oct. 26 Winner QF 1 v Winner QF 2, Yokohama
Oct. 27 Winner QF 3 v Winner QF 4, Yokohama
Final
Nov. 2 Yokohama