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Portugal and Spain have begun discussions over a joint bit to host Rugby World Cup 2035. The tournament will follow Rugby World Cup 2031 in the USA and Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia. Rugby World Cup 2035 falls twelve years after Portugal’s second World Cup appearance.
Portugal impressed many at Rugby World Cup 2023 in France. Os Lobos were competitive in all their matches. They sent a clear message to World Rugby that the plans for the World League are poor; the sport can be administrated very differently.
Os Lobos did what Rugby World Cup 1991 and 1999 winners, Australia failed to do in France 2023: Portugal defeated Fiji. That win came on the final day of the pool stage. Earlier on in the day Argentina had knocked-out Japan. The Rugby World Cup 2019 hosts and Fiji are to be a part of the 12-team World League.
Portugal qualified for Rugby World Cup 2007 by eliminating Uruguay and for Rugby World Cup 2023 by eliminating the USA. The latter result significantly harmed World Rugby’s strategy; the USA will host the Rugby World Cup eight years after failing to qualify.
Spain also qualified for Rugby World Cup 2023 but did not compete. A scandal demonstrated that South African prop Gavin van den Berg was not eligible to play for Spain. He had represented Los Leones in lop-sided qualifying matches against Holland. Spain won both easily and need not have selected the player who, as it turned out, lied to Spain Rugby and to World Rugby.
Spain changed leadership after the scandal and looked to the future. This included securing a home test match against Argentina. Los Leones vs Los Pumas was a look into the global game. However, World Rugby demonstrated failure on linguistic grounds; Spain vs Argentina was refereed entirely in English as was Argentina vs Chile at the World Cup itself.
Writing for Portugal’s largest sporting news outlet, Record, Sérgio Lopes explains that there have been various conversations from authorities on both sides of the border. Portugal Rugby will likely go ahead with the bid if they receive government backing.
Identifying stadiums in Portugal and Spain will not be a problem. World Rugby requires a minimum 15,000 capacity for venues and the final must be staged at a venue seating at least 60,000. Lisbon’s Estadio de Luz would be a candidate for the Final as would Camp Nou in Barcelona and the Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid.
Americas Rugby News recently identified Spain as a one of a short-list of potential new Rugby World Cup hosts. Spain was listed alongside Argentina, Canada, Italy and a collaboration between Georgia and Romania.
Portugal’s performances at Rugby World Cup 2023 were noted both far away and at home. Os Lobos received a heroes welcome at Lisbon airport. Portugal defeated Quarter Finalists Fiji, competed to a draw against Georgia and troubled both Australia and Wales. In short, Portugal were vast overachievers.
Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa attended Os Lobos’ matches at the World Cup in France. Portugal played in Nice, St Étienne and Toulouse. In addition, the Portuguese team were received in the country’s presidential palace on Thursday last week. Suffice to say there is strong reasoning to believe that there will be government backing from Portugal.
Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia is set to be an expanded tournament. The Rugby World Cup will expand from 20 to 24 teams. There are a number of possibility as to how to organize the tournament across two countries.
