Rugby World Cup 2035: Argentina qualifies for the first South American edition

Argentina is pressing ahead with its bid to host the 2035 Rugby World Cup, which will bring the event to South America for the first time.

Argentina hopes to include Brazil, Chile and Uruguay in organizing the tournament.

World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin is visiting Argentina on a fact-finding mission ahead of official bids for the tournament 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 lands,” said Gabriel Travalini, president of the Argentine Rugby Federation.

Japan and Spain recently confirmed their intention to bid to host the tournament, while Italy has previously expressed interest, and a joint bid from the Middle East involving Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates has also been rumored.

Argentina has played in all ten previous editions of the Rugby World Cup, reaching the semi-finals in three of the past five stages.

Los Pumas use several multi-purpose stadiums across the country to host home matches.

In July, they will face Scotland at the 57,000-capacity Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Cordoba, Wales at the 25,000-capacity Estadio San Juan de Bicentenario in San Juan, and England at the 30,000-capacity Unico Madre de Ciudades Estadio in Santiago del Estero.

Estadio Mas Monumental – home of Buenos Aires’ River Plate Football Club – is the largest stadium in South America with a capacity of over 85,000.

World Rugby’s choice of hosts has balanced increased commercial revenues with expansion into new markets in recent years. Japan will organize the tournament for the first time in 2019, while the United States will organize it in 2031.

France and Australia, hosts of the 2023 and 2027 tournaments respectively, have participated in the tournament more than once.

Following site visits and evaluations, World Rugby will determine the preferred host in May 2027, with a vote on its recommendation in November.