International Rugby League chair Troy Grant says Qatar has appeal as a host for the 2025 Rugby League World Cup after France’s decision to withdraw from staging the event left the tournament’s future shrouded in uncertainty.
Grant said on Wednesday that expressions of interest had already been received from the Qataris as well as South Africa, Fiji and New Zealand.
He said no due diligence had yet been done, but he hoped to have a decision locked in by the end of July.
France pulled the pin on the 2025 tournament earlier this week due to financial constraints linked to the country hosting rugby union’s 2023 World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Qatar’s emergence as a contender to step into the void has merit, Grant explained, given its central location between the UK and Australia.
(Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images for RLWC)
“The attractiveness of Qatar would be in their financial capability to meet the costs of a tournament of our size and scale,” Grant said.
“Their stadia is first-class and that has been proven with the FIFA World Cup having recently been held there successfully.
“The close proximity of stadia and the less travel required, even compared to the World Cup in England for example, would be massively advantageous regarding costs.
“It would be similar to a Magic Weekend round experience, which started in the UK and it now works so well in the NRL in Brisbane.”
Given France’s shock withdrawal, Grant said there was scope for the men’s, women’s and wheelchair tournaments to operate as standalone events after running concurrently in England last year.
(Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
“We’re not wedded to anything to be honest with you,” he said.
“We (the IRL) are that old saying, beggars can’t be choosers.”
Grant hopes that the 2025 tournament announcement will be accompanied by confirmation of a 10-year Test window, which has been held up by the NRL’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations.
The delay in CBA talks has led to Tonga snubbing a southern hemisphere tournament and heading to the UK for a three-Test series with England.
“The CBA negotiations certainly held us up from any prospect of getting it (the calendar) out,” he added.
“It’s central, critical to our future … without that calendar, the reality is that our future is compromised in a lot of areas.”
Dionysus
Roar Rookie
Probably have a better case than the Bears......
Abbot
Roar Rookie
Is this a secret plan for Qatar to become the 18th team….
G money
Roar Rookie
I suppose the rlwc is a bit different and the organisers don't demand billions in spending unlike the Olympics
liquorbox_
Roar Rookie
I am guessing that the pride jerseys wont be used?
Nat
Roar Guru
Fair dinkum, do your own research. Here’s a tip, the ARL would be paying for Aust teams (all 4). As if they would be putting the other 3 teams in 3 star accommodation. In any case, accomodation is not borne by the French regional councils, therefore, not a cost consideration.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
The womens world cup was 8 teams 2 groups of 4 and semi finals. Qatar wont be hosting that for sure. I have to check wiki what were these other world cups. I dont know how you get 128 from another 3, 8 teams in the wheelchair, what was the other major one. I can understand wheelchair but over the years they have police ,armed forces, youth, masters, etc its endless. The cost level isnt the same you can guarantee the women were put into bottom of the line accomodation and at cheap venues etc. Wheelchair they would need accessible accomodation .
Nat
Roar Guru
"16 teams, 4 groups of 4 and quarter finals its not a sizeable tournament." What about the 3 other tournaments being run in conjunction with the mens games? There's 48 matches being played at the rugby WC, there is 128 in the RLWC. Can you see any costs difference?
Albo
Roar Rookie
I reckon it was more to do with the 64-0 thrashings by the pommies of the French men's & women's teams that convinced the French not to bother with the World Cup !
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
I think its bizzare that France withdrew citing costs. What exactly are the costs of a rugby league world cup . 16 teams, 4 groups of 4 and quarter finals its not a sizeable tournament.What was interesting about the rugby league world cup, is they already had booked flights for a lot of the teams before the group stages had started. Its not like they get teams all in 5 star accomodation, its a sliding scale with Australia England at the top, and its goes downhill. Unless the International rugby league organisation started demanding a fair bit of money for hosting rights, I know they sold every games hosting rights maybe they did an old style rugby union world cup demand where the hoster had pay an amount to host it. France being close to Britain would do reasonably well out of a rugby league world cup as well , as the English like to travel. A world cup in South Africa is the worst place to host it the crowds would be nonexistent.Qatar will be interesting to see if Qatar become the good old boys in the Australia media the same way China became the good old boys when they hosted an AFL match. The English might draw a bit of a crowd there its the next worst choice crowd wise.
the outsider
Roar Rookie
Now that idea has merit. Good thinking 99
Dionysus
Roar Rookie
Truth is, Australian taxpayers probably gain from holding such a world cup. 1. Gate income 2. Accommodation 3. Flights (international and domestic) 4. Meals in restaurants 5. Souvenirs 6. Car hire The main costs in going to such an event is rarely that event itself. Why do you think there is such a squabble over grand finals, magic weekend, origin etc ?
Dionysus
Roar Rookie
This would have some hidden benefits 1. Combine it with a Holiday to keep Ariadne happy 2. Showcases the sport somewhere different, people turn up for the novelty value 3. The Qataries fund it 4. and the big one, the Qataries promote it.
Nat
Roar Guru
Don't know about Qatar. Sure the facilities would be great but it's just enough out of the way for no one to show up. Soiuth Africa would be an interesting proposition. I am intrigued to read that several SL clubs have affiliations with Uganda, Kenya, SA & Nigeria. Maybe it is worth a look over there.
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
No beer at the stadiums! How's that sound? :happy:
G money
Roar Rookie
Awesome, finally an event that the Australian taxpayers don't have to fund