Look who is backing the US World Cup bid

NEWS: A letter from United States President Joe Biden expressing strong support of his country's bid to host the 2031 men's World Cup and 2033 women's World Cup was part of a final bid package submitted by USA Rugby, the federation said Wednesday.

The World Rugby council will vote on May 12 to determine the official host union for the 2031 and 2033 World Cups.

World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin said in March that he believed the US$500 million partnership plan with the United States to host the events are "actually essential for our plans to keep rugby growing as a world sport."

Jim Brown, chair of the USA Rugby bid group, said organizers are in talks with 28 cities and 31 possible stadiums as host venues with the forecasted expense "generally understood ... in the half-billion-dollar mark - plus or minus US$100 million."

In his letter to World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont, Biden says the United States "strongly supports the effort to bring the 2031 men's World Cup tournament and the 2033 women's World Cup tournament to our country and looks forward to working with Rugby World Cup Limited to help deliver the most successful World Cups in history."

Biden said governmental guarantees sought by World Rugby would be "executed by officials who have the competence and authority" to do so, or in cooperation with states and private entities.

Biden is a well-known rugby fan and a supporter of Ireland.

Former Ireland and Lions fullback Rob Kearney is a distant cousin of the president.