The United States was confirmed as the host of the men’s showpiece event in 2031 and will stage the women’s tournament two years later.

The hosts were finalised following a World Rugby Council meeting in Dublin.

Australia and England were earlier named “preferred candidates” while the U.S. was in dialogue with World Rugby as part of a new selection model introduced last year that aims to accelerate the growth of the sport.

Australia will stage the men’s competition for the third time after 1987 – co-hosts with New Zealand – and 2003. England hosted the women’s event in 2010 while it will be the first World Cup on American soil.

U.S. president Joe Biden last month backed his country’s bid, pledging to promote the sport in the country and deliver the “the most successful Rugby World Cups in history”.

(Reporting by Dhruv Munjal in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond)