Argentina Aims for Historic 2035 Rugby World Cup as South America’s First Host
Argentina is advancing its bid to host the 2035 Rugby World Cup, aiming to bring the prestigious tournament to South America for the first time. The country plans to collaborate with Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay to stage this monumental event. Alan Gilpin, the chief executive of World Rugby, is currently visiting Argentina to gather insights before formal applications are submitted in the latter half of 2026. Gabriel Travaglini, president of the Argentine Rugby Union, stated, "We want a World Cup that reflects the passion and development that rugby has achieved in every corner of our territory." In addition to Argentina, Japan and Spain have confirmed their intentions to bid, while Italy has shown interest. A joint bid from the Middle East, involving Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, is also rumored. Argentina has a rich history in the Rugby World Cup, having participated in all 10 previous editions and reaching the semi-finals in three of the last five tournaments. For home matches, Los Pumas utilize various multi-purpose stadiums across the nation, including: Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes (57,000 capacity) in Cordoba for the match against Scotland. Estadio San Juan de Bicentenario (25,000 capacity) for the game against Wales. Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades (30,000 capacity) for their match with England. The Estadio Mas Monumental, home to River Plate in Buenos Aires, is the largest stadium in South America, boasting a capacity of over 85,000. World Rugby’s recent host selections have balanced commercial returns with market expansion, as seen with Japan in 2019 and the United States in 2031. France and Australia have previously hosted the tournament multiple times. After site assessments, World Rugby will identify a preferred host in May 2027, with a final recommendation set for a vote in November.
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-03-18