Pacific World Cup Set for 2030, With US Cities Tipped as Hosts
The next Rugby League World Cup will be held in the Pacific, with Los Angeles, San Francisco, Salt Lake City and Hawaii named as potential co-hosts. England and France are now likely to stage the 2034 tournament instead.
The next Rugby League World Cup will be held in the Pacific, and the Pacific World Cup set for 2030 will likely bring matches to North America. The International Rugby League (IRL) is expected to formally announce the details of the 2030 competition shortly.
Potential US host cities
Los Angeles, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Utah and Hawaii are potential co-host cities. The 13-man code is trying to expand into new regions.
It would mark the first major international in the United States since England and New Zealand met in the Denver Test in 2018. The NRL has also taken season-opening matches to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
England and France pushed back
The decision is a late change of direction. A week earlier, England and France were close to being locked in as hosts, in a bid to boost the game in the northern hemisphere.
After an IRL board meeting during the week and a congress on Saturday, the board chose to push into the Pacific instead. Member nations have been informed. The 2034 World Cup is likely to be staged in England and France.
The NRL's negotiations to take a stake in the English Super League are ongoing.
Pacific nations drive the current tournament
Pacific teams have made the current World Cup a success. Australia, New Zealand, Tonga and Samoa were the last four teams standing in the semi-finals.
One highlight was Tonga's sellout victory over Samoa at CommBank Stadium. That match was one of several to draw strong attendances and ratings.
Kangaroos prepare for Samoa
Australia and Samoa were preparing to meet for a place in the final. Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters said Brad "Freddy" Fittler, the former Australian captain, would oversee the jersey presentation.
"He's a former Australian captain and won a World Cup in '95," Walters said. "Freddy has played in plenty of big games as a player and coach, so he understands the lay of the land."
Walters confirmed James Tedesco would be omitted from his interchange bench. Blayke Brailey will wear the number 20 jumper in case anything happens to Harry Grant.
"We've got [Reuben] Cotter on the bench, we've got Sam Walker on the bench, and Ethan Strange," Walters said. "So three backs, three forwards."
