Brett Gosper is hopeful that the USA will bid to host RWC 2027 or 2031. The World Rugby and Rugby World Cup CEO said today that:
“The 2027 or 2031 World Cup; hopefully they can do it for one of the two. It would be interesting and a great compliment for the sport that the United States is interested.”
Click here to read about a hypothetical RWC in the USA.
Click here to read about a hypothetical RWC in Canada and the USA.
France will play host to RWC 2023. It is to be the second RWC in the country in sixteen years. France was awarded the hosting rights over Ireland and South Africa while Italy pulled-out late of the bidding process.
For the time being there are two countries who are on record as bidding for RWC 2027. The first to announce its candidacy was Russia. The ‘Bears’ competed at RWCs 2011 and 2019 but missed out on RWC 2015 after losing to Uruguay in repechage.
Russia’s venues that would be used for the possible RWC 2027 in the country have not been confirmed. It has nonetheless been declared that the intention would be to use the stadiums from the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Australia co-hosted RWC 1987 and was the solo host of RWC 2003. A strong bid from Australia is expected for RWC 2027. No details of venues have been announced thus far, but the RWC 2003 list is a relevant guide to the probabilities.
Of Russia and Australia it is the latter which is more likely to be allocated hosting rights from World Rugby. Japan 2019 is the only occasion wherein a tournament has been staged outside of the former Five Nations and Tri Nations.
The host of RWC 2027 is to be determined in 2021. The initial plans were for the host of RWC 2031 to also be announced at this point in time. However, due to the lack of bidders and the COVID-19 pandemic this may be delayed. Gosper’s encouragement of the USA to bid follows Argentina’s decision not to do so.