France withdraw from holding the 2025 world cup

Terrible news and a huge blow for the game in France
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyleague/article-12087583/France-refuses-host-2025-Rugby-League-World-Cup-Australia-forced-save-tournament.html

Other bidders are out there
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/65621301

Yes a real shame as this would have been a great opportunity to grow the game in France.

I didn't have much hope for a World Cup in France to be any good, but it's another bitter blow to a sport that struggles so much. I suppose Australia and/or NZ will host the tournament now, if Australia can be bothered.

Fiji looks an interesting option, but I don't imagine they have the infrastructure to host a tournament that combines men's/women's/wheelchair varieties of the sport.

South Africa would be an interesting call, because with an established union and 7s teams, they do have the potential to become a strong RL nation and this might be a way of putting it on the map. Less said about Qatar the better!

Duty281 wrote:I didn't have much hope for a World Cup in France to be any good, but it's another bitter blow to a sport that struggles so much. I suppose Australia and/or NZ will host the tournament now, if Australia can be bothered.

Fiji looks an interesting option, but I don't imagine they have the infrastructure to host a tournament that combines men's/women's/wheelchair varieties of the sport.

South Africa would be an interesting call, because with an established union and 7s teams, they do have the potential to become a strong RL nation and this might be a way of putting it on the map. Less said about Qatar the better!

Qatar will offers most money and the game needs money and lots of it so i say give it Qatar

A kick in the teeth for French RL, a huge missed opportunity.

If it is held I will be surprised if it is not Australia/NZ. Qatar yes may have the money but with it will come a hammering from the press in relation to human rights (rightly so) and from the UK at least I would be very surprised if large numbers travelled I could be wrong but I am assuming it is not cheap. Do please correct me if not I am making an assumption.

Personally if they want it, Would give it to Canada. Though South Africa is an interesting one.

Favourites at the moment should it go ahead (we've already had it being held and lost in 2 countries), is New Zealand.

Luke wrote:Favourites at the moment should it go ahead (we've already had it being held and lost in 2 countries), is New Zealand.

I would not be surprised if so.