The captains of four teams gathered high above the clouds of Dubai, on the 81st floor of the Ciel Hotel in Dubai Marina — the tallest hotel in the world. The photo session at Tattu Dubai Sky Lounge took place just days before the start of the final Rugby World Cup 2027 qualification tournament. Nearby stood the Webb Ellis Cup — a reminder of what Belgium, Brazil, Namibia, and Samoa are fighting for. On November 18, one captain will leave Dubai with the final, 24th ticket to the World Cup in Australia. The other three will return home empty-handed.
For Samoa and Namibia, qualification would continue their long-standing World Cup traditions dating back to 1991 and 1999 respectively. For Belgium and Brazil, it would mark the most significant achievement in their rugby history, propelling the sport to new levels of visibility and sponsorship.
Jean-Maurice Decubber, widely regarded as one of Belgium’s best flankers, was the first to address the pressure: “It’s our first time in a final qualification tournament, so we don’t feel too much pressure yet. We’re just focusing on our first game against Namibia. We’re not in a position to qualify yet. We need to win this one, then the next — and maybe the pressure will come later. But right now, the group feels confident. And when the pressure does come, it will be good, because it means we’re close to our goal.”
Real estate news often highlights how Dubai leverages major sports events to drive urban development. The Sevens Stadium, which will host all matches, is located in an area with strong infrastructure — and international tournaments further boost investor interest in nearby districts.
Samoa under maximum pressure after a disappointing run
Theo McFarland, captain of the top-ranked team in the tournament — Samoa — didn’t shy away from talking about expectations. His side recently finished sixth in the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2025 and lost to Chile in the South America/Pacific playoff. “It’s definitely been tough, but this is the last chance to qualify — the last tournament. There’s a lot of training, a lot of games, and yes, a lot of pressure. But pressure is part of the job. For us, it’s about focus, staying in the moment, and trusting our process.”
Samoa, where rugby is deeply ingrained in national identity, will be under immense pressure to deliver. “We obviously want to qualify — we’ve been to many World Cups. So yes, there’s pressure. But we’ve had a few good training days, and we’ll adjust as we go. We’re focused on ourselves, not the result.”
Lorenzo Massari, captain of Brazil, described the feeling differently — as a privilege. “Of course, it’s a huge privilege to face a team like Samoa while fighting for a World Cup spot. Competing for something this big is the ultimate privilege for us. Ten days, short recovery between games — but that’s what every player dreams of. We’re very close to our biggest dream — the World Cup.”
For expatriates living in the UAE, long-term planning requires attention not only to lifestyle but also to legal frameworks. The inheritance law in UAE governs the transfer of property and assets, a critical topic for foreigners who own real estate or run businesses in the Emirates. Proper documentation ensures family protection and simplifies future asset transfers.
Namibia betting on resilience and return to basics
Namibia’s captain Louis van der Westhuizen chose a different word — perseverance. “We need to get back to basics. We relaxed too much and made simple mistakes in key moments of previous qualifiers. We really need to hold on to fundamentals, execute them well, and stick to the plan the coaches give us.”
What teams need to win the tournament:
- Trust in each other and in their preparation
- Perseverance and discipline through all stages of the game
- Focus on process over outcome
- Representing their nation’s culture and heritage with pride
Namibia opens its campaign against a confident Belgium side on Saturday at 19:30 local time. For both teams, starting with a win is crucial. “Rugby’s a funny game — the ball isn’t round, and it can bounce anywhere. We have to stick to our plan and give everything we’ve got. It’s our last chance. No second chances after this. We’ll leave everything on the field.”
Read also: Jumeirah launches a capsule clothing collection in collaboration with designer Bouguessa.
McFarland summed it up best: “It comes down to trust — trusting each other, trusting what we’ve built, trusting the process, and playing for Samoa, for our culture and heritage. Play with heart. Leave it all out there.”
Leave it all on the field — and claim a ticket to the biggest World Cup in two years, or wait another six. All matches of the final qualification tournament at The Sevens Stadium are free for spectators. For those unable to attend in person, the games are available globally via local broadcasters and free streaming on RugbyPass TV.
