Qatar is among four nations to have expressed an interest in staging the next Rugby League World Cup after France pulled out as hosts.
The organising committee conceded on Monday that they would be unable to stage the tournament in 2025 after failing to meet financial criteria set out by the French government, leaving the event at risk of a deficit.
The International Rugby League board held an emergency meeting to set out a strategy for seeking a replacement host, with a decision expected in July.
However, the body's chair, Troy Grant, revealed four nations have already expressed an interest in taking over from France including Qatar, which staged the men's football World Cup last year.
New Zealand, South Africa and Fiji have also stepped forward but Grant stressed that no option is off the table, including the prospect of delaying to 2026 or even cancelling altogether and planning for the 2029 tournament.
This story is from the May 18, 2023 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the May 18, 2023 edition of The Guardian.
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