England are a strong chance to host the 2034 Rugby League World Cup despite recent reports that the nation could have their test status removed.

The 2021 Rugby League World Cup was delayed by a year and hosted in England in 2022, but per reports down under, International Rugby League are still arguing that the RFL owe around $800,000.

RFL CEO Ian Nolan is set to meet the IRL chairman Troy Grant in the coming days, but there’s a possible threat that England could lose their licence to play internationals and yet, per reports, the 2034 Rugby League World Cup is destined for the northern hemisphere with England a leading candidate.

That reports comes from 7 News down under, who have also highlighted the United States of America as the likely hosts of the 2030 Rugby League World Cup – a tournament that would break new ground for the sport.

Of course, the NRL headed to the US by taking games to Las Vegas with Super League soon following suit, but the hosting of an entire World Cup would be a significant step.

Per those reports, Utah and Hawaii have emerged as possible locations for pool matches given that they are both heavily-populated with Tongans and Samoans.

Why the 2030 Rugby League World Cup could head to America

Speaking on Channel 7’s coverage of the World Cup, David Riccio said: “Utah and Hawaii, you’re probably asking why. Well, number one, the game is on a mission to expand and promote this game globally.

“Secondly, what we’ve seen in the last week on the back of Tonga v Samoa at Commbank Stadium is this wave of emotion that has been captured around the world. Notably in Hawaii and Utah, where there is such a huge Tongan and Samoan population.”

Building on Las Vegas by taking a World Cup stateside would be a significant move to expand the sport and former NRL and Super League man Luke Keary agreed, adding: “We have to dominate on that momentum of what they’ve created over the last couple of weeks and I think it’s a great option.”

The US is also a far more favourable location for English and European fans, however, they likley won’t have to travel far for the 2034 World Cup with 7 News reporting that tournament is ‘heading to the northern hemisphere, most likely England’.

That comes as a result of IRL chairman Troy Grant and Peter V’landys looking to ‘rejuvenate the game in the UK’.

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