A new global calendar is due to come in in 2026 to help boost revenues, with the world’s top 12 Test nations taking part in a Rugby Nations Championship, culminating in a weekend of finals in late autumn to decide the winners and final rankings.
World Rugby reportedly turned down a lucrative proposal from Qatar to host the climax of the first four editions of the biennial tournament in 2025, 2028, 2030 and 2032., external
Benazzi, currently a French Rugby Union (FFR) vice-President, believes there is still scope to revive the plan, albeit on a smaller scale and with Qatari commitment to human rights.
“Qatar have improved a lot of things in their country and sport has helped accelerate integration and understanding for the culture,” explained Benazzi, who attended the 2022 Fifa World Cup in the country.
“I was very impressed with the Qataris’ interest in sport and their open mind about women. It is a new path and we have to find a new market, and new countries to host.
“We refused Qatar with five finals. They come back now maybe with interest for one final – that’s interesting. We don’t close the door.
“But we won’t sell our rugby and lose our values. We have to discuss with everyone.”
Rugby Football Union chief executive Bill Sweeney has previously suggested London may stage the first edition of the tournament in 2026, while the 2030 tournament could take place in the United States to help raise the sport’s profile before men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups in the country in 2031 and 2033 respectively.
That itinerary could pave the way for the 2028 event to be staged in the Middle East.
Benazzi, who conducted this interview in his third language and has had his manifesto translated into five, is making a global pitch to World Rugby’s 53-member Council.
His plans include established rugby powers being given responsibility for growing the sport in partner regions and using different formats, such as sevens, and modified rules to grow the game in different cultures.
Benazzi’s own story is compelling. Born in Morocco, he only took up the sport at 14 when a teacher, noticing his size and weight didn’t suit football or athletics, suggested it to him.
“I told the teacher I didn’t know the rules,” recalled Benazzi. “He said, ‘it doesn’t matter with your physicality, get the ball and go straight’. I have kept this advice my whole life!”
After playing for Morocco, he moved to France as a teenager, going on to win 78 Test caps for his new home.