Saudi Arabia is weighing the possibility of bidding to host the 2035 Rugby World Cup, as part of its broader ambition to expand its presence in global sports.The country’s sports minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, revealed that discussions were underway about developing rugby in the Kingdom.
Speaking to reporters during the Formula One Grand Prix in Jeddah on Sunday, he said Saudi Arabia had already formed a national federation to explore how the sport could grow locally.
Prince Abdulaziz acknowledged that Saudi Arabia was not currently equipped to host a global rugby tournament, but added that the situation might change over the next decade if interest and infrastructure continued to build.
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Recent reports from British media suggested that Saudi Arabia might not bid alone. Instead, it could join forces with neighbouring Gulf states such as Qatar — hosts of the 2022 FIFA World Cup — and the United Arab Emirates for a joint bid for the 2035 or even the 2039 edition of the Rugby World Cup.
Asia Rugby President Qais Al Dhalai, who is from the UAE, supported the idea, stating that a multi-nation bid involving Gulf countries could be a game-changer for the sport. He said the region already had modern stadiums and infrastructure, making it well-suited for hosting such a large-scale event.
While rugby has yet to take root in Saudi Arabia — the country is not ranked among the top 113 rugby-playing nations — its neighbours fare slightly better. The UAE is currently ranked 49th, and Qatar holds the 87th position.
The next two editions of the Rugby World Cup are already assigned, with Australia set to host in 2027 and the United States confirmed as host for 2031. Saudi Arabia now appears keen to follow suit with a long-term vision for rugby in the region.