ABU DHABI: The UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are considering a joint bid for the 2035 Rugby World Cup, potentially bringing one of the world’s biggest sporting events to the Gulf for the first time.
According to The Times, the trio of nations are exploring the possibility of co-hosting the tournament, with the goal of creating “the most successful event in the history of rugby.” The idea was revealed by Asia Rugby president Qais Al Dhalai, who said the bid could also target the 2039 edition.
Although still in early discussions, the proposal follows a growing global trend of multi-country sporting events. Football’s World Cup has already shown how well this model can work—first with Japan and Korea in 2002, and now with upcoming editions in North America (2026) and Spain, Morocco and Portugal (2030).
Al Dhalai emphasised that Gulf nations already have the infrastructure in place. “The stadiums are ready,” he told The Times. “Why not rugby? A multi-host could be a successful story and a new model for the sport.”
The move would mark a historic first for rugby, which has never seen a World Cup hosted in the Middle East. The next tournament will be in Australia in 2027, followed by the United States in 2031.
With more investment and global attention on the region’s sporting ambitions, a joint bid by the UAE, Saudi and Qatar could put the Gulf firmly on rugby’s world stage.
