USA to Host 2031 Rugby World Cup Amid Concerns

Alan Gilpin, the Chief Executive of World Rugby, confirmed that the United States will host the 2031 Men's Rugby World Cup, a decision made by the World Rugby Council in May 2022. This announcement comes amid growing concerns regarding the sport's stability in the U.S., particularly as the national team, the Eagles, currently ranks 16th in the world and has yet to reach the knockout stage of a World Cup.

The team's struggles were highlighted by a significant 85-0 defeat to Scotland in November. Additionally, the domestic professional game has faced challenges, with Major League Rugby reducing to six teams following the withdrawal of four clubs.

Despite these issues, Gilpin reassured stakeholders at the annual Shape of the Game summit that the commitment to host the tournament remains firm. The summit also addressed concerns about the commercial health of rugby in the U.S. and the future direction of the sport, with discussions on potential changes to traditional gameplay structures.