THE Government has confirmed its decision to commit up to £15million in funding towards the 2021 World Cup which has been awarded to England.

The Rugby Football League got the nod ahead of the United States, largely on the back of playing numbers and heavy Government backing, when the Rugby League International Federation announced the venue for the 16th World Cup on Thursday.

Minister for Sport Tracey Crouch said: "I am delighted that England has been chosen to stage the Rugby League World Cup in 2021.

"The government is investing up to £15 million to put on a world-class show and up to a further £10 million into the game's infrastructure as part of the Northern Powerhouse agenda - and to help rugby league grow outside its traditional home.

"The tournament will be a fantastic festival of rugby, enjoyed by a million spectators, and bringing economic benefits to host towns and cities. I look forward to working alongside the RLIF, RFL and UK Sport on an outstanding event."

The RFL will now push ahead with plans to stage 31 matches across 12 venues from a shortlist that includes Old Trafford, Wembley, the Etihad, Newcastle's St James' Park and the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.

It has pledged to attract more than a million spectators, double the number for the 2013 World Cup staged in England and Wales, and reach a television audience of 150 million.

The governing body, which announced a profit of £3.7m from the 2013 event, estimates the cost in 2021 to be around £42m but say the tournament, run alongside women's and wheelchair events, will be worth £74.6m to the economy.

RFL chairman Brian Barwick said: "The news today that England has won the right to host the Rugby League World Cup in 2021 is transformative for our sport.

"Our commitment to grow the game internationally, attract more spectators than ever before and put on the biggest and best event in the sports history has clearly been recognised by the RLIF.

"With a sold-out game between England and New Zealand this weekend in the Ladbrokes Four Nations, it is clear that there is a real passion for international rugby league in this country.

"The UK has a proud reputation for delivering world-class sporting events and the Rugby League World Cup in 2021 will round off an incredible decade of major events in our country that began with the London Olympics in 2012. The hard work starts now, but we are confident that we can deliver.

"Finally, we would like to thank the government for their steadfast support for the bid. Their pledge to help financially support the staging of this event and their commitment to provide up to an additional £10m investment in infrastructure for the sport of rugby league, has undoubtedly helped to bring yet another iconic world class sporting event to this country."

Barwick and RFL chief executive Nigel Wood, who is chairman of the RLIF, did not take part in the decision-making process.

The RLIF has recommended that the United States be awarded the 2025 World Cup, along with a separate international tournament to be staged in the period between 2021 and 2025.

The bid was submitted on behalf of both the USA and Canada by Australian businessman Jason Moore, who runs the Sydney-based sports marketing and event management company Moore Sports International (MSI).

Moore had pledged to hand over £10million at the end of the first tournament to be held outside the game's traditional areas and help lay down firm roots for the game in north America, which will host professional rugby league from next May when Toronto play in the Kingstone Press League 1 competition.

RLIF chief executive David Collier said: "England staged an outstanding World Cup in 2013 and have clearly outlined their vision for the 2021 World Cup as a world-class event eclipsing the attendances, reach and legacy of 2013.

"The bid process was highly competitive and the board was very impressed by the MSI USA/Canada bid which was of the highest quality.

"The RLIF sees a great future for the sport in North America and has recommended that discussions with MSI are expedited to bring professional rugby league to North America as well as future international tournaments.

"Those discussions are being progressed with MSI USA/Canada and a report will be presented to Congress which will be held on 19 November this year."