The UAE opens against Singapore and the Philippines on 1 October, then faces Sri Lanka on 2 October. Three fixtures. Two days. The squad completed a five-day training camp in Hong Kong before travelling to Japan on Monday for the Asian Games. Asia Rugby's published schedule lists the three group opponents.
The campaign adds another continental test for a UAE national team. The karate squad recently won nine medals at the Asian Juniors and U21 Championships in Amman, as covered in the karate team report.
Asia Rugby lists 12 teams in the men's rugby sevens tournament and eight in the women's competition.
Two matches open the group campaign
The UAE is in Group C with Singapore, the Philippines and Sri Lanka. Singapore and the Philippines are the opening-day opponents on 1 October. Sri Lanka follows on 2 October. Asia Rugby's schedule has group play continuing on 2 October, with the semi-finals and finals set for 3 October.
The opening double-header will test the squad's composure and depth.
The Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Games run in Japan from 19 September to 4 October. Their programme includes 43 sports, 71 disciplines and 469 medal events.
Hong Kong camp completes final preparations
The squad trained at the Hong Kong Sports Institute after starting its preparations at The Sevens in Dubai. British coach Jack Benadi and assistant Yusuf Shaker oversaw the programme. Training covered fitness and technical skills. It also focused on team cohesion.
UAE Rugby Federation secretary-general Mohammed Sultan Al Zaabi and board member Saud Abdullah Al Nuaimi visited the camp. They met players and staff, then urged the team to make the most of its preparation.
Al Zaabi said the squad had reached an advanced stage of readiness. Al Khaleej reported that the team had completed the five-day Hong Kong camp and quoted Al Zaabi describing the squad as being at an "advanced stage of readiness" ahead of the tournament.
Experienced players have been joined by new additions Martin, Tom, Finn, Khalifa Al Muflihi and Gerard. Saki and Robert returned after recovering from injury. The coaching staff has worked to bring the group together and settle on suitable options for the competition.
The first two fixtures leave little time to recover. Preparation must quickly turn into disciplined play. The UAE has completed its build-up. Results in Nagoya will depend on how well the squad turns fitness and cohesion into performances across three group matches.
