Saudi Arabia’s ambitious push to host the 2035 Rugby World Cup has collapsed before it even truly began.
The country has in fact opted not to enter the race at all.
Just months after sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Faisal openly floated the idea of bringing rugby’s global showpiece to the Middle East, the plan has been scrapped.
According to reports, Saudi Arabia failed to submit an expression of interest to World Rugby and won’t be entering the bidding process before the October deadline.
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That effectively ends hopes of rugby breaking new ground in the region through a Saudi-led bid.
The collapse goes deeper.
A proposed joint bid involving Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates – which had been strongly backed by Asia Rugby president Qais al-Dhalai – has also fizzled out.
With the bidding window open since October 2025, other nations including Argentina, Japan and Spain have already stepped forward, while Saudi Arabia and its neighbours now sit firmly on the sidelines.
The decision is understood to be tied to a broader rethink inside Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which has entered what officials describe as a “value realization” phase under its Vision 2030 strategy.
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PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan confirmed a shift in approach:
“I can’t tell you I will cancel this investment or get into another investment,” Rumayyan said.
“It is a dynamic [situation] with or without war. But, of course, the war would add more pressure to reposition some priorities.”
While global uncertainty – including tensions involving Iran – adds pressure, the decision to step away from the Rugby World Cup bid was made before the conflict escalated.
Rather than chasing new global sporting ventures, Saudi Arabia is now expected to prioritise domestic projects – including infrastructure for the 2034 FIFA World Cup and a new Formula One circuit in Riyadh.
Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images
The post Saudi walks away from World Cup dream appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Saudi Arabia’s ambitious push to host the 2035 Rugby World Cup has collapsed before it even truly began.
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