Rugby World Cup 2035: Argentina make case for first South American edition

Argentina are ranked fifth in the world in the men's game and are the only nation in the top eight never to have hosted a Rugby World Cup match Argentina is pressing forward with a bid to host the 2035 Rugby World Cup, which would take the event to South America for the first time. Argentina hopes to involve Brazil, Chile and Uruguay in the staging of the tournament. World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin is visiting Argentina on a fact-finding mission before formal applications for the tournament are submitted in the latter half of 2026. "We want a World Cup that reflects the passion and development that rugby has achieved in every corner of our territory," said Gabriel Travaglini, president of the Argentine Rugby Union. Japan and Spain have recently confirmed their intention of bidding for the tournament, while Italy have previously expressed an interest and a joint Middle East bid, incorporating Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, has also been rumoured. Argentina have played in all 10 previous editions of the Rugby World Cup, reaching the semi-finals in three of the past five stagings. Los Pumas make use of various multi-purpose stadiums around the country for ho