INTERNATIONAL RUGBY LEAGUE (IRL) is expected to announce on Monday some of the details of what it is planning for the next World Cup, which is expected to be held in 2030.
Some details have leaked out over the weekend, with the tournament set to be played in countries bordering the Pacific Ocean, including the United States.
Los Angeles, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Utah and Hawaii could co-host games, although it is not yet clear which other countries could also be included.
Hawaii and Utah have been selected because of their large population of expatriate Pacific Islanders.
Outside Tonga, Samoa, Australia or New Zealand, Hawaii has the highest population of Pasifika people while Salt Lake City, the state capital of Utah, also ranks inside the top ten.
A week ago England and France were looking likely to be awarded the hosting rights, but that now looks unlikely to happen.
At today’s anticipated IRL media conference, other details are expected to include that the next World Cup will be contested by twelve nations, with six games in every pool round possibly being played in a Magic Weekend format, with all six games in one location over two days, which is expected to enhance the value of the competition to broadcasters.
Australian reports also suggest that a new great-grandparent rule has been approved after several years of lobbying by the Cook Islands, which has the lowest player pool to select from of all this year’s World Cup teams.
“This is all about the legitimacy and the passion and pride that players bring to their nations,” IRL Chairman Troy Grant told The Australian newspaper.
“The reality is we live in a multicultural world and you’ve got to respect that.
“The Rugby League public have seen for themselves how much it means to these players.
“That’s a powerful connection that Rugby League has to the communities around the world.
“The opportunity we have to be realistic to make sure that player pool remains available to nations is so important to the game.
“It creates depth and important player availability for these nations that are contributing so much.
“It’s a decision not only made out of practicality and pragmatism, but it’s also a decision out of respect for the contribution they’re making to the international game.”
There is also a possibility that Tonga and Samoa will be deemed officially as tier-one nations (they are currently tier two).
That would prevent them picking players who miss out on selection for Australia, New Zealand or England.
Meanwhile reports that England will be stripped of its Test status over its financial dispute with the IRL, which claims it still owes £400,000 from the 2022 World Cup, a claim the RFL rejects, have been denied.
“The RFL position has not changed since November 2025. We remain a committed member of International Rugby League and we look forward to attending and taking part in the IRL Congress this weekend,” said an RFL statement last week.
