Anna 
Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Saudi Arabia are preparing a joint bid to host the 2035 or 2039 Rugby World Cup, marking a potential milestone for the sport in the Middle East. Asia Rugby President Qais Al Dhalai confirmed the bid and expressed confidence that the region could deliver a world-class tournament.
Bringing Rugby Back to Asia
If successful, this would be the first Rugby World Cup in Asia since Japan hosted the 2019 edition. Asia Rugby has pledged full support for the bid, favoring the Gulf region over other locations in Southeast and East Asia.
Al Dhalai emphasized the potential of a multi-country hosting model, similar to past and upcoming FIFA World Cups. “A multi-host approach could be a success and introduce a new model for rugby,” he told The Times. “The stadiums are already there. It could be the most successful event in rugby history.”
Overcoming Challenges
For the Gulf nations to host, World Rugby would need to amend its rules to allow their national teams to participate, as none have previously qualified for the tournament. Additionally, to avoid extreme heat, the event would be scheduled from December to January. This timing could impact the global rugby calendar, particularly the Six Nations tournament, which usually starts in February.
Financial and Commercial Power
Al Dhalai believes a Rugby World Cup in the Middle East would generate substantial revenue, citing strong commercial backing from the region. “Big corporations and sovereign wealth funds in the Gulf are already investing in rugby,” he said. Examples include Qatar Airways sponsoring the United Rugby Championship and Emirates Airlines partnering with World Rugby and the Dubai Sevens.
Asia Rugby holds two of the 52 votes in World Rugby’s council and has committed both to supporting the Middle Eastern bid.
Competing Bids and Considerations
The bidding process for the 2035 Rugby World Cup will begin in the next two years, with Italy and Spain also expressing interest. Australia is set to host the 2027 men’s World Cup and the 2029 women’s event, followed by the United States hosting both in 2031 and 2033.
While the financial appeal of a Middle Eastern World Cup is undeniable, concerns remain. Rugby is still in its developmental phase in the Gulf, with Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia ranked low globally. Critics have also raised concerns about sportswashing and the region’s human rights record, which reportedly influenced the rejection of Qatar’s previous bid for the Nations Championship.
Rugby’s governing bodies must now weigh the promise of lucrative sponsorships and investment against the challenges of hosting the tournament in a non-traditional rugby stronghold.
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