Double Interest from Asia in Hosting Rugby World Cup 2035

There is double interest from Asia in hosting Rugby World Cup 2035. Set to be the thirteenth Men’s Rugby World Cup, RWC 2035 will follow the 2027 tournament in Australia and the 2031 tournament in the USA. The two potential Asian bids are from opposite sides of the continent.

Interest from Eastern Asia comes in the form of a repeated host nation; Japan Rugby (JPFU) is officially interested in hosting the Rugby World Cup in either 2035 or 2039. The sixteen year gap between 2019 and 2035 is identical to that which separated France hosting the 2007 and 2023 tournaments.

West Asian interest comes in an entirely new form. Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are considering a joint bid to host the 2035 Rugby World Cup. Asia Rugby President Qais Al-Dhalai spoke to The Times about the prospect:

“I anticipate it could happen in 2035; I don’t want to underestimate the other bids, and I believe South Africa and European countries will also be interested, but if World Rugby works hard on it with a solid plan, it could happen in 2035. Why not? The stadiums are already there. It would be the most successful event in the history of rugby.”

No country from West Asia has ever qualified for a Men’s Rugby World Cup. Japan remains the only ever Asian participant. Notwithstanding, Dubai is an annual host of a leg of the World Rugby SVNS series and hosted the 2009 Sevens Rugby World Cup.

Qatar Rugby Federation and United Arab Emirates Rugby Federation are both full members of Asia Rugby and World Rugby. Saudi Arabia is an associate member of Asia Rugby but is not a member of World Rugby.