The UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia are preparing a joint bid to host the 2035 or 2039 Rugby World Cup, marking a major step in the region’s growing involvement in global sports. The president of Asia Rugby, Qais Al Dhalai, has confirmed the bid, which aims to bring the prestigious tournament back to Asia for the first time since Japan hosted it in 2019.
Asia Rugby has pledged its full support for the bid, emphasizing the Middle East’s potential as a premier host destination. The organisation has urged World Rugby to consider multi-nation bids, a model that has been successful in football, including the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted across the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
A Bold Vision for Rugby in the Gulf
“As our leaders in the Gulf believe, nothing is impossible,” Al Dhalai told The Times. “I foresee this as something that might happen in 2035. If World Rugby works hard on this with a solid plan, it is achievable.”
He highlighted the readiness of stadiums across the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia to host a world-class event, stressing that a multi-nation model could transform the Rugby World Cup just as it has for football.
To accommodate the region’s climate, the proposed tournament would take place in December and conclude in January, ensuring optimal conditions for players and fans. This timing would require adjustments to the global rugby calendar, particularly the Six Nations tournament, which traditionally starts in February.
Gulf Nations Poised to Boost Rugby’s Global Appeal
Al Dhalai, who also serves as president of the UAE Rugby Federation, expressed confidence that hosting the Rugby World Cup in the Middle East would unlock unprecedented commercial opportunities for the sport. He pointed to the strong financial backing available in the region, citing existing partnerships such as Emirates Airlines’ sponsorship of World Rugby and the Dubai Sevens, as well as Qatar Airways’ recent investment in the United Rugby Championship.
“The Gulf is home to major corporations and sovereign wealth funds that are eager to invest in global sports. Rugby is already benefiting from this, and a World Cup in the region would be a game-changer,” Al Dhalai said.
A Transformative Opportunity for Rugby
While rugby is still in its developmental phase in the Gulf, hosting a World Cup would significantly accelerate the sport’s growth. Asia Rugby remains convinced that the commercial appeal and fanbase across the wider Asian continent would ensure a successful tournament.
The bidding process for the 2035 Rugby World Cup is set to begin within the next two years, with competition from European nations like Italy and Spain. The UAE and its Gulf partners will be making a strong case, not just as hosts but as key players in rugby’s global expansion.
With over 35 years of experience in journalism, copywriting, and PR, Michael Gomes is a seasoned media professional deeply rooted in the UAE’s print and digital landscape.
Football fans travelling with Emirates this summer won’t have to worry about missing any FIFA World Cup 2026 action. Dubai’s flagship airline Emirates, has announced that it will broadcast every match of the tournament live onboard its flights through Sport24, its dedicated live sports channel available on the award-winning ice entertainment system.
Passengers will be able to follow every moment of the world’s biggest football tournament while flying at 40,000 feet. The move ensures customers can stay connected to the action no matter where they are travelling, with live coverage available throughout the competition.
Emirates said the complete FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast schedule is featured its ice magazine, allowing passengers to plan their journeys around key fixtures and follow their favourite teams during the tournament.
The live coverage will be available on most Emirates aircraft equipped with Sport24 and Sport24 Extra, although availability may vary depending on aircraft type and route. Selected FIFA World Cup matches will also be shown in Emirates Lounges across Dubai, giving travellers additional opportunities to catch the action before departure.
Mexico City’s iconic Estadio Azteca was transformed into a global stage on Thursday Night as the FIFA World Cup 2026 officially got underway, marking the beginning of the biggest edition in the tournament’s history.
A vibrant opening ceremony showcased a blend of Mexican culture, music and modern spectacle, with performances from international stars including Shakira and Burna Boy. The ceremony was designed to reflect both the heritage of the host nation and the global nature of the tournament, which for the first time will be staged across three countries — Mexico, the United States and Canada.
Before the first whistle of the competition, the atmosphere inside the historic stadium reached a crescendo as thousands of fans filled the stands, waving flags and lighting up the arena in a sea of colour. The Estadio Azteca, already steeped in football history, has now become the first venue in the world to host matches across three separate FIFA World Cups, having previously staged the 1970 and 1986 finals.
In a further highlight of the ceremony, Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli performed the tournament’s official anthem, adding a classical flourish to an evening otherwise defined by high-energy performances and large-scale choreography.
FIFA officials described the opening event as a “symbolic bridge between continents”, underlining the expanded format of the 2026 tournament. For the first time, the World Cup will feature 48 teams — up from 32 — and a total of 104 matches, spread across 16 host cities across North America. The expansion is intended to increase global participation and bring the tournament to a wider range of supporters.
Immediately after the ceremony, hosts Mexico faced South Africa in the tournament’s opening match, kicking off what is expected to be a month-long football spectacle. The match began under heavy security and heightened global attention, with millions watching around the world.
The expanded format has also brought logistical challenges, with teams required to travel across vast distances between venues in multiple countries. Organisers have emphasised investments in transport infrastructure, stadium upgrades and sustainability measures aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of the tournament.
The 2026 edition also arrives at a time when football’s global profile continues to grow rapidly, with record broadcast deals, increased digital streaming access and heightened commercial interest from sponsors. Analysts expect the tournament to break previous viewership records, particularly given its tri-nation hosting model and expanded team lineup.
Estadio Azteca itself remains one of football’s most storied venues. It famously hosted Brazil’s Pelé lifting the trophy in 1970 and Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” and “Goal of the Century” performances in 1986. Its role in opening the 2026 tournament has been widely seen as a nod to football’s rich history in Mexico, while also signalling a new era for the sport.
As fireworks lit up the Mexico City skyline following the ceremony, attention now turns to the next phase of the tournament’s opening schedule, with matches set to continue across North America in what promises to be the most geographically expansive World Cup ever staged.
For fans, players and organisers alike, the message from Mexico City was clear: the world’s biggest sporting event has begun, and it is set to be bigger, broader and more ambitious than ever before.
Emirati International Arbiter Abdullah Murad Al Mazmi has been appointed to the officiating panel for the 2026 FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships, one of the biggest events on the global chess calendar.
The championship will take place in Hong Kong from June 16 to 22 and is expected to feature many of the world’s leading grandmasters, including world number one Magnus Carlsen.
Al Mazmi’s selection highlights the growing international recognition of Emirati chess officials. He currently serves as Chairman of the Arab Chess Federation’s Arbiters Committee and Tournament Director of the prestigious Sharjah Masters International Chess Championship.
Speaking about the appointment, Al Mazmi said he was proud to represent the UAE at one of chess’s most prestigious global events. He described the selection as a reflection of FIDE’s confidence in Emirati arbiters and their ability to officiate at the highest international level.
He added that the role carries significant responsibility and offers a valuable opportunity to exchange expertise with some of the world’s top chess officials while showcasing the progress of UAE chess on the global stage.
The appointment marks another milestone for Emirati representation in international sports administration and reinforces the UAE’s growing presence in the world of chess.
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