Qatar exits Nations Championship hosting agreement

Qatar's 2028 finals and Qatar Airways sponsorship are cancelled, The Guardian reports. The development comes during the inaugural year of the Nations Championship, the international rugby competition created by Six Nations Rugby and SANZAAR. Its first finals remain scheduled for London's Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, from 27 to 29 November, according to World Rugby's published arrangements.

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The event brings together 12 national teams within the established July and November international windows. SA Rugby's competition guide lists England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales on the northern side. South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina are joined by invited participants Japan and Fiji in the southern group, giving each half of the competition six teams.

Rather than a standalone series played entirely at one venue, the championship has six rounds before the finals. Each country plays three matches in July and three in November. Results from that programme determine positions within the two groups, with teams ranked from first to sixth before the concluding weekend, SA Rugby explains in its guide to the format.

The finals then pair countries occupying the same position in their respective groups. The two leaders contest the championship match, while the remaining teams meet their corresponding opponents. Six games are divided across three double-header sessions. The format also awards points towards a winning hemisphere, alongside identifying the individual national champion.

Preparations for the current November series are already documented. World Rugby announced on 22 October that 16 referees from nine countries would oversee 18 championship matches between 6 and 21 November. Its appointments cover a wider group of 41 officials representing 12 nations, with Andrew Brace and Pierre Brousset each assigned two matches.

World Rugby has set 23 November for confirmation of the finals refereeing appointments, after the group rankings are settled. The published timetable therefore separates the northern series from the London conclusion: the initial November matches establish the standings, and those standings determine the pairings for the six-game finals programme.