In an interview with the Times, the president of the Asian Rugby Federation announces that Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates could apply joint to organize the 2035 Rugby World Cup.
There was France 2023, there will be Australia 2027 and United States 2031. But where will the Men’s Rugby World Cup in 2035? South Africa, Italy and Spain have already said it ready to embark on an application, but sixteen years after Japan, Asia could also host the competition again. This time it would be a country that has never taken part in the World Cup before.
In an interview with TimesPresident Emirati of the Asian Federation, Qais Al Dhalai, made a big announcement: “As our Gulf leaders think, nothing is impossible. I plan that this could happen in 2035. I am in favor of a multi-city organization model, rather than a single host country. It has proven itself in football. They have been doing it since 2002, when Japan and Korea welcomed the World Cup, and they will do it again in Mexico, the United States and Canada in 2026, then again with Spain, Morocco and Portugal in 2030. Why not rugby? A multi-organizational organization could be a success and a new model for rugby. United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia. Why not ? The stadiums are ready. It would be the most successful event in the history of rugby. »»
The United Arab Emirates 48th in the World Rugby ranking
The president, however, is wary of other candidates, and in particular one in particular: “I do not want to underestimate other candidates, and I think that South Africa and other European countries could also be interested, but if World Rugby worked hard on this subject with a solid plan, it could happen in 2035.” It remains to be seen whether the organizing countries would be automatically qualified for the World Cup. To date, the United Arab Emirates are 48th in the World Rugby ranking, Qatar is 87th and Saudi Arabia is not classified.
