France will host the the 17th Rugby League World Cup in 2025.

Prime Minister Jean Castex announced on Tuesday, January 11, that France will be the host country of the Rugby League World Cup 2025, in the presence of Roxana Maracineanu, Minister Delegate for Sport.

France2025 will bring together 4 competitions at the same time: women's, men's, wheelchair and youth.

Prime Minister Jean Castex said : "France is a host country for major sporting events, which are a tremendous asset for economic attractiveness and social cohesion in our territories. The organisation of the Rugby Union World Cup in 2023 and the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2024 are the spearheads of this policy conducted by the State and the local authorities. The Rugby League World Cup, which will be organised by France in 2025, is a great opportunity for the territories and cities that wish to get involved in this dynamic and I support it fervently."

International Rugby League Chairman, Troy Grant : "The rebirth of international rugby league in France has been a strategic goal of our sport for many decades and I am delighted that it will now become a reality through this award of the 2025 world cup to France. As the sport’s international federation, International Rugby League is so pleased to be able to bring the world cup home, to where it all began with the first world cup in 1954, and in keeping with that historic theme, for the very first time there will be four competitions – Men, Women, Wheelchair and Youth – truly a Rugby League World Cup for everyone, and for all of society. We are very grateful to the French government and all the regions, cities and towns for the strong support they have given to our outstanding French bid team and we can’t wait to welcome visitors from across the globe to this wonderful country, not only to share our exciting & accessible sport but also to enjoy world class tourism, rich cultural experiences and the unique atmosphere of France and its people. This 2025 world cup journey will allow us to build on the already strong bond that exists between rugby league and France, but also to deepen rugby league’s presence in and throughout the country.  As a sport, we are proud to complete a trifecta of major world sporting events in this magnificent French decade of sport and help celebrate a wonderful, proud and dynamic nation through an unforgettable celebration of rugby league”.

France Rugby League Federation Chairman, Luc Lacoste : "What a wonderful news to see the return of the Rugby League World Cup in France. What a journey we have made in less than a year. It was a commitment to the French XIII world and it is now becoming a reality. The very conception of the project opens up great prospects for the development of this sport in many territories and with a large and diversified public. I would like to thank all the teams who participated in this project and first of all its Executive Director, Michel Wiener. I would also like to thank the IRL Steering Committee, represented by Troy Grant, its Chairman, for its confidence in our project. Finally, we would like to thank the French Government for its support, as well as the regions of the country and local authorities that have already come forward to organise this wonderful event alongside France2025. Together we will make France2025 a huge success. History starts today.