[3][4][5][6] After the United States lost the 2021 Rugby League World Cup bid to England, International Rugby League (IRL) recommended that the United States and Canada should host the 2025 event after a bid by Moore Sports International.

[8] On 20 November, it was announced that the United States and Canada bid had won the rights to host the 2025 World Cup.

[18] On 15 May, it was announced that France had withdrawn as hosts, due to financial concerns from the new French government, elected in May 2022.

Other journalists have also likened the dissociation of rugby league by the French Government to the sport's ban under the Vichy France regime.

[27][28] International Rugby League president Troy Grant statement on the withdrawal:[22] "I respect the French government's decision amid the challenges they are facing but I can't hide my disappointment, that I conveyed clearly to them in person.

"Grant also expressed that France will continue to be "central to our strategic plans", whilst acknowledging that the 2025 tournament was an ambitious project from the start, but one believed possible after the success of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.

[36] On 8 March 2023, details for the European qualification process were announced with eight teams divided into two groups and matches scheduled to take place between September 2023 and May 2024.

For the tournament, 38 cities bid to host matches across the men's, women's, wheelchair, and youth competitions.

These were: Albi, Arras, Autun, Beauvais, Blagnac, Begles, Besancon, Biganos, Bordeaux, Boulazac, Carcassonne, Chambery, Chatillon, Issoire, Le Creusot, Le Mans, Libourne, Limoges, Limoux, Lourdes, Marmande-Tonneins, Martigues, Massy, Montauban, Montlucon; Narbonne, Nice, Paris, Perigueux, Perpignan, Pia, Roanne, Salon-de-Provence, Toulouse, Trelissac, Vannes, Vichy, Villefrance-de-Rouergue, Villeneuve-sur-Lot.