As of June 2019, three countries, Argentina, Australia and Russia, had declared their interest in hosting the 2027 Rugby World Cup. There has been speculation that the United States and South Africa would announce their interest in hosting the event, however, nothing has been officially announced. World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont suggested in late 2018 that the host of the World Cup following the 2023 event in France could be an emerging nation. World Rugby CEO Brett Gosper also suggested in 2019 that World Rugby may bid the 2027 and 2031 World Cups together, so that they could make “a bolder decision and a traditional decision.” Gosper further suggested that “2031 could give time for an American bid to be very credible and very strong.” As of 2019, the hosts for the 2027 and 2031 tournaments are expected to be revealed in 2021. The fact that three consecutive World Cups will have occurred in the northern hemisphere makes the southern hemisphere countries considered the favourites. Relatedly, the fact that the 2023 tournament will be in France makes it unlikely that World Rugby would select a European country to host in 2027.
Stanislav Druzhinin, general director of the Russian Rugby Union, at a meeting of the high council on 31 May 2019, said that Russia would apply to hold the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Russia would use the 2018 FIFA World Cup stadiums for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. The legacy of the 2018 FIFA World Cup will be used to the maximum. President Vladimir Putin has backed a bid from Russia to host the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Withdrawn bids
Argentina
The Argentine government announced on 5 October 2016 that Argentina would bid for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Argentina has never hosted the tournament before, but World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont pledged that he would back the right of countries such as Argentina to bid for the event. Argentina is the only country to reach the World Cup semi-finals that has not hosted any World Cup matches. Argentina has hosted the 2001 Rugby World Cup Sevens, 2005 Under 21 Rugby World Championship, 2010 IRB Junior World Championship, 2019 World Rugby Under 20 Championship and, since 2012, two or three Rugby Championship matches a year. In April 2020, Argentina withdrew their bid for the 2027 Rugby World Cup to strengthen the Australian bid, making Australia favourites for the 2027 Rugby World Cup host.
