Middle East Powers Target First-Ever Joint Rugby World Cup 2035
Three Middle Eastern powerhouses – UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar – want to make history by hosting the Rugby World Cup in 2035 or 2039. This would be the first time the tournament comes to the Middle East. The UAE stands at 48th place globally while Qatar ranks 87th in rugby. These Gulf nations remain determined to bring rugby’s biggest event to their region. Spain currently leads the race to host, with Italy and Japan also in contention.
Asia Rugby supports this bold joint effort by these Gulf states. None of them have played in a Rugby World Cup before, which makes their bid even more remarkable. The games would take place across cities in all three countries during December-January. This timing helps players and fans avoid the region’s extreme heat. Their reliable sports facilities and strong financial backing from sovereign wealth funds make these Gulf nations serious candidates, even with their growing rugby programs.
Gulf Nations Announce Unprecedented Joint Rugby World Cup Bid
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Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates have joined forces to bring rugby’s biggest event to the Middle East. These Gulf nations are working together on a joint bid to host the Rugby World Cup in either 2035 or 2039. Asia Rugby, the sport’s continental governing body, strongly supports this initiative.
How Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE Formed the Alliance
Regional cooperation and shared sporting dreams brought these three Gulf powerhouses together. Asia Rugby’s President Qais Al Dhalai leads this initiative and coordinates efforts among the three nations. Al Dhalai, who leads the UAE Rugby Federation, believes his region can handle such a major event.
“As our leaders in the Gulf believe, nothing is impossible,” Al Dhalai said. “I foresee this as something that might happen in 2035”.
This partnership wants to tap into each country’s resources and reliable infrastructure. Qatar’s successful hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup showed these nations they could use existing stadiums for rugby matches instead of building new ones.
The bid also lines up with the region’s goals to broaden entertainment options and build stronger diplomatic relationships through sports. These countries have committed their resources to create what Al Dhalai calls “the most successful event in the history of rugby”.
What Makes This Bid Historic
Several groundbreaking elements make this joint proposal different from previous Rugby World Cup hosting arrangements:
- Unprecedented Regional Format: The bid suggests the first three-nation hosting structure for the Rugby World Cup, similar to football’s successful model.
- First Middle Eastern Hosts: A successful bid would bring the tournament to the Middle East for the first time, opening new territory for rugby’s worldwide growth.
- Qualification Rule Changes: World Rugby would need to change existing rules since none of these nations have qualified for a Rugby World Cup. Current rules require host countries to earn their tournament spot.
The Gulf bid suggests a major change to traditional tournament timing. Matches would take place during December-January instead of September-October to deal with the region’s climate.
Al Dhalai highlights the financial benefits of hosting the Rugby World Cup in the Gulf. He points to existing partnerships between Gulf-based companies and rugby, plus possible support from sovereign wealth funds.
“The big corporates and big money comes from the Gulf countries,” Al Dhalai said about the bid’s financial outlook.
Asia Rugby’s leadership strongly supports hosting games in multiple cities. “I’m in favor of a multi-city hosting model, not a single host. That’s proven to work in soccer,” Al Dhalai explained. “They have done it since 2002 when Japan and Korea hosted, and are doing it again in Mexico, USA and Canada in 2026, and then again with Spain, Morocco and Portugal in 2030. Why not rugby?”
The bidding process for the 2035 Rugby World Cup should start within two years. European countries and South Africa might compete for hosting rights, but Asia Rugby has promised its two World Rugby council votes to support this ambitious Middle Eastern bid.
World Rugby Considers Rule Changes to Accommodate Gulf Hosts
The Gulf World Cup bid faces a basic regulatory challenge that needs World Rugby’s immediate attention. The stadiums and financing look promising. Yet the current tournament rules create a major hurdle for these potential hosts.
Current Qualification Requirements Present Obstacles
World Rugby’s rules say host nations must earn their spot in the tournament. None of the three Gulf nations have played in a Rugby World Cup before, which creates a big problem. The UAE ranks 48th worldwide, Qatar holds the 87th spot, and Saudi Arabia doesn’t even have a world ranking in rugby.
Every World Cup host has played in their home tournament. The current system only gives automatic spots to teams that did well in the previous tournament. Take the 2011 World Cup – twelve teams got automatic entry because they finished in the top three of their groups at the 2007 World Cup. Eight more teams made it through regional tournaments.
How Host Nation Rules Might Change
World Rugby needs to update its qualification rules for the Gulf bid to work. Asia Rugby President Qais Al Dhalai knows this challenge well: “If World Rugby worked hard on this with a solid plan it might happen in 2035”.
The tournament dates would need changes too because of the weather. These nations want a December-January window instead of the usual September-October schedule. This would shake up Northern Hemisphere competitions, including the Six Nations that runs from February to March.
World Rugby has shown it can change its hosting rules. The organization made changes in May 2022 that gave it “greater control of key decisions and more financial risk”. This shows they might be open to more changes.
Previous Precedents for Rule Modifications
Rugby World Cup qualification rules have changed a lot since the beginning. The first tournament in 1987 didn’t even have qualifying games – teams just got invitations. World Rugby started using different systems over the years to make the process better.
Qualifying tournaments first appeared in the 1991 Rugby World Cup. By 1999, they added a repechage system that gave teams a second chance if they finished second in their qualifying zones.
More changes came with the 2011 tournament. The automatic qualification expanded beyond the eight quarterfinalists to include four more teams that finished third in their pools.
These past changes show how World Rugby adapts its rules. This flexibility might help them work with this unique Gulf bid that promises to be “the most successful event in the history of rugby”.
Asia Rugby President Champions Multi-City Hosting Model
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Qais Al Dhalai, President of Asia Rugby, has become the main voice to promote a revolutionary approach to hosting the Rugby World Cup. His vision calls for a three-nation tournament across Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. This marks a bold shift from the traditional single-country formats.
Why Al Dhalai Believes the Gulf Can Deliver
The region’s economic power and strong infrastructure fuel Al Dhalai’s confidence. “The big corporates and big money comes from the Gulf countries,” he emphasized while discussing the bid’s financial strength. The major Gulf entities’ proven track record with rugby organizations backs up this potential.
“Our joker card is always the men’s XVs World Cup,” Al Dhalai explained. “This is where we generate 90 to 95 percent of revenue for the sport. The economies of the Middle East are very strong”.
Rugby in the region enjoys substantial corporate backing. Qatar Airways sponsors the United Rugby Championship, while Emirates Airlines partners with World Rugby globally and sponsors the Dubai Sevens tournament. These strategic collaborations show the Gulf’s ability to support major rugby events.
How Multiple Venues Would Function Across Three Nations
Soccer’s success with multi-nation tournaments inspired this proposed format. “I’m in favor of a multi-city hosting model, not a single host. That’s proven to work in soccer. They have done it since 2002 when Japan and Korea hosted,” Al Dhalai stated.
The geographical setup offers clear advantages. “Stadiums are one or two hours’ flight away from each other, and four to six hours from lots of different countries, so that’s not too bad. It’s like spending three hours on a train in France”.
The best part? The infrastructure stands ready. “Imagine if you had it in a place like the UAE, which has three good stadiums. Qatar and Saudi are investing heavily into sports development too”. This removes the need to build new facilities just for the tournament.
The multi-city approach would tap into existing venues across these three nations. Al Dhalai believes this could create “the most successful event in the history of rugby”. This strategy lines up with modern international sporting events where countries share hosting duties to split costs and boost regional growth.
Spain Emerges as Surprising Competitor for 2035 Hosting Rights
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Spain leads the race to host the 2035 Rugby World Cup, emerging ahead of Gulf nations’ joint bid. Spanish federation representatives met with World Rugby officials to discuss their plans, and the bid has gained serious momentum.
Why World Rugby Favors European Return
World Rugby plans to take the tournament to Australia in 2027 and the United States in 2031. The organization sees 2035 as the perfect time to bring rugby back to Europe. World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin stated, “We’ve now got to think about the balance and whether we bring 2035 [men’s] and 2037 [women’s] back to Europe. It’s almost like a regional rotation”.
This rotation strategy works in Spain’s favor as part of the European market. Brett Robinson, World Rugby Chair, highlighted Spain’s strengths: “50 million people, quality stadiums, passionate support and culture”. Spain’s qualification for the 2027 Rugby World Cup makes their bid even stronger compared to the Gulf nations.
How La Liga Stadiums Could Transform Rugby Presentation
Two iconic football venues stand at the heart of Spain’s bid. Barcelona’s renovated Camp Nou, with its planned 105,000-person capacity, could host the final. The Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, holding 78,297 people, would serve as another key venue[173].
Spanish officials talk with La Liga about using these stadiums. “The Spanish federation and Spanish government have had conversations with La Liga,” Gilpin confirmed. “As we understand it it’s with La Liga about would they support and it seems to be the case”.
What Makes Spain’s Bid Compelling
Spain brings more to the table than just great stadiums. The country has hosted major rugby events before – San Mamés stadium in Bilbao hosted the Champions Cup final in 2018 and will do so again in 2026[173].
Spanish rugby has grown stronger. Their men’s team qualified for the 2027 World Cup, and their women’s team secured a spot in the 2025 tournament. The country proved its market appeal when Barcelona hosted a Top 14 Final that broke world attendance records.
World Rugby executives will make their decision before the 2027 Australia World Cup. Italy, Japan, and Middle East nations have shown interest in hosting future tournaments.
Gulf Nations Propose December-January Tournament Window
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE’s triple-nation World Cup proposal comes with a major schedule change. These Gulf states want to promote a winter tournament that moves away from rugby’s usual timeframe.
How Climate Considerations Shape the Schedule
The Gulf nations’ scheduling strategy stems from climate challenges. Their bid suggests a Rugby World Cup starting in December with the final in January. The region’s temperatures make the usual September-October window impossible. This matches FIFA’s decision for Qatar 2022, when they moved football’s biggest tournament to November-December to avoid extreme heat.
World Rugby’s climate research highlights these issues clearly. A recent report points out that “Heat waves will continue to affect athlete performance and spectator health”. The organization recognizes that “the world is heating up and likely heading towards a 1.5-degree increase in global average temperatures by 2026”.
The Gulf region would not work for elite rugby competition during autumn months based on climate projections. World Rugby has started researching ways to adapt rugby practices that deal with climate realities. They’ve developed “new heat guidelines adapted to hotter temperatures”. The December-January window isn’t just a preference – it’s essential.
What This Means for Northern Hemisphere Competitions
In spite of that, this schedule creates ripples throughout the rugby calendar, especially affecting Northern Hemisphere competitions. The Six Nations would face disruption since it would start “barely a month after the World Cup final if it remained in its usual February-March slot”.
Domestic leagues would feel substantial effects too. European club competitions would miss their holiday fixtures and lose the huge revenues these games bring. This poses a major financial challenge for leagues already under money pressure.
The calendar changes reflect bigger issues highlighted in World Rugby’s climate report. The report shows that “climate change is affecting our local clubs, the way our athletes perform, the ability for spectators to watch live games”. A Gulf World Cup would need a detailed calendar adjustment that affects player welfare and business arrangements across rugby worldwide.
Rugby Development Programs Accelerate Across Gulf Region
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Gulf nations are expanding their rugby infrastructure and development initiatives while pursuing an ambitious World Cup bid. Their growing investments show a dedication to the sport that goes beyond hosting tournaments.
How UAE Rugby Has Grown Since Dubai Sevens
The UAE’s rugby story began in the 1970s as British expatriates started playing in Dubai and established what later became the Dubai Rugby Sevens. The tournament, which received support from the late Sheik Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, has become the region’s premier rugby event that draws over 100,000 visitors each year. Emirates Airlines continues to play a vital role in this growth and has extended its support to the UAE Rugby Federation through 2026 as title and jersey sponsor of national 15s and 7s teams.
The UAE rugby achieved a major breakthrough in 2024. The team beat South Korea for the first time and claimed second place in the Asia Rugby Championship, reaching 57th in world rankings. Asia Rugby has made UAE its headquarters, which creates a strategic foundation for continental growth.
What Qatar Learned from FIFA World Cup Experience
Qatar plans to use its FIFA World Cup infrastructure and organizational expertise to develop rugby. The nation is close to signing an eight-year deal to host rugby’s Nations Championship finals from 2026, with Qatar Airways as title sponsor. This series would include all 12 tier-one teams in a six-game finals series and could generate UK£800 million (USD $3.75 billion) in revenue.
The Gulf state develops rugby much like its successful World Cup model by focusing on premium sports tourism. These investments help Qatar build a self-sustaining sports ecosystem while gaining an edge over regional competitors.
Saudi Arabia Invests in Grassroots Rugby Infrastructure
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has started talks with four Premiership Rugby clubs about potential seven-figure investments worth £60 million (USD $278.33 million). The negotiations cover stadium naming rights and plans to establish a rugby academy in Saudi Arabia.
The rugby academy project fits with Saudi Vision 2030 programs like the Mahd Academy, which identifies young athletes in various sports. The Saudi Arabia Rugby Federation (SARF) created a four-pillar strategy in 2023: growing visibility, enriching influence, creating excellence, and building community. Team coach Matthew Williams sees touch rugby as the perfect starting point for Saudi youth.
The Gulf nations’ bold bid marks a turning point in rugby’s worldwide growth. A joint proposal from Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar challenges how major tournaments are traditionally hosted. These countries bring strong financial backing through their sovereign wealth funds and corporate partnerships. Their plans go beyond just hosting – they’ve already started rugby development programs and invested in new facilities across the region.
Some major challenges lie ahead. The bid must meet qualification standards and solve complex scheduling issues. Spain has also emerged as a strong contender with its world-class football stadiums and growing rugby community. World Rugby faces tough decisions about changing certain rules while protecting the sport’s traditions.
The Gulf nations suggest holding the tournament in December-January – an unusual time that makes sense given the region’s climate. Their plan to host games across multiple cities works well because of good infrastructure and reasonable travel times between venues. This approach could set a new standard for future tournaments. The bid shows how international rugby continues to evolve as it balances its traditional markets with new opportunities.
The unprecedented teamwork between Gulf nations has ended up changing rugby’s digital world. Win or lose, this bid might do more than just determine who hosts the tournament – it could spark long-term rugby growth throughout the Middle East and alter how major tournaments adapt to local conditions.
