Top officials from Asia Rugby have touched down in Uganda ahead of the much-anticipated Rugby World Cup 2027 qualification playoff between Namibia and the United Arab Emirates, scheduled for Saturday, July 26, at Mandela National Stadium.
The visiting delegation includes key figures in the global rugby community: Mr. Benjamin van Rooyen, CEO of Asia Rugby; Mr. Qais Al Dhalai, President of both Asia Rugby and the Arab Rugby Federation as well as a World Rugby Council Member; and Madam Fawzia, Vice President of UAE Rugby and Head of Women’s Rugby in the country.
Their arrival marks a significant moment as Uganda prepares to host a high-stakes international fixture that will determine who advances to the final qualification tournament—commonly known as the Repechage—set for November in Dubai.
The presence of Asia Rugby’s top brass underlines the growing collaboration between the two continents and reflects the increasing prestige of Africa as a capable host for elite rugby events.
Saturday’s match will see Namibia, the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup runners-up, face off against the UAE, Asia’s second-ranked side. The winner of this one-off playoff moves a step closer to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
The Final Qualification Tournament will feature four teams, with only one booking a ticket to the expanded 24-team World Cup. Zimbabwe, who won the Africa Cup earlier this month, have already sealed direct qualification.
The fixture at Namboole is expected to draw attention from across the rugby world, with Uganda once again stepping into the spotlight as a venue for major international sport.
