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 home matches.
In July, they will take on Scotland in the 57,000-capacity Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Cordoba, Wales in the 25-000-seater Estadio San Juan de Bicentenario in San Juan and England in Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades, which holds about 30,000 people, in Santiago del Estero.
Estadio Mas Monumental – the Buenos Aires’ home of football side River Plate – is the largest stadium in South America with a capacity in excess of 85,000.
World Rugby’s selection of hosts has balanced maximising commercial returns and expanding into new markets in recent years. Japan staged the tournament for the first time in 2019, hile the United States will do in 2031.
France and Australia, hosts for 2023 and 2027 respectively, have both put on the tournament on more than one occasion.
After site visits and assessments, World Rugby will identify a preferred host in May 2027, with their recommendation being voted on in November.