The race to host the 2035 and 2039 Rugby World Cups has begun, with expressions of interest from Spain and Italy, while the Middle East remains a significant consideration. A return to Japan within two decades of its first Asian World Cup is a popular suggestion.
South Africa, a winner of the past two World Cups, has effectively ruled out bidding for either tournament. The country's Rugby president, Mark Alexander, stated that hosting another World Cup would present significant challenges, citing South Africa's economic standing and the need for responsible decision-making.
"It just brings so many other challenges to the country," he said. "People think it is just a sports event but so many other things have to be activated. I will tell [SA Rugby] not to do this. We are a third-world country. Our economy is not strong and we have to act responsibly. I know sport does a lot for social cohesion but I think it would be unfair on [the] government to put up guarantees."
The decision of the past two World Cup winners not to bid raises questions about the financial viability of hosting such events, particularly given the 2023 bidding process's perceived shortcomings.
World Rugby's process for selecting hosts involved a technical review of candidates, with South Africa initially recommended. However, the council ultimately chose France, whose bid emphasized financial stability and preventing the "death of rugby."
Damian de Allende, a South African rugby player, expressed disappointment at the outcome, highlighting the missed opportunity to host and win the tournament.
The possibility of major rugby nations never hosting a future World Cup is a concern, given that South Africa and New Zealand have won the last five tournaments. New Zealand's chief executive, Mark Robinson, previously expressed concerns about the logistical challenges of hosting, though later comments have been less definitive. The 2027 expansion to 24 teams further complicates potential bids for smaller nations.
Ireland, a contender for the 2023 tournament, faced a setback due to a lack of support from Scotland. A proposed joint bid by the Home Nations for the 2031 tournament was subsequently abandoned due to disagreements on the final venue.
The 2023 World Cup in France resulted in a reported €13 million net loss, despite generating record revenues of €500 million for World Rugby. Financial challenges for national unions, such as Ireland's €18.4 million deficit, are also a factor, with concerns raised about the cost-benefit ratio of hosting major tournaments.
Union executives have highlighted the revenue shift from national unions to World Rugby in the World Cup year, emphasizing the need for a more sustainable financial model. A key concern is the potential for World Cups to negatively impact the finances of participating unions.
The discussion centers on how World Rugby can balance the need to grow the game globally with the financial strain on established nations. The 2035 World Cup is likely to be held in Europe, while a return to Japan in 2039 is considered a strong possibility, given the success of the 2019 tournament. The Middle East's potential is contingent on logistical issues and the competitiveness of host nations.
World Rugby's chief executive, Alan Gilpin, stated that the organization will seriously consider any region's investment in the sport.
