How social media reacted to the 2025 Rugby League World Cup cancellation

The announcement yesterday from tournament organisers that the 2025 World Cup will not be held in France was a hammer blow to the sport.

The recent World Cup highlighted what a brilliant spectacle the tournament can be and the lack of competitiveness in both of England men’s and women’s victories over France, both 64-0 wins, shone a light on the need to grow and develop the international game.

That’s what made the news of this World Cup cancellation all the more devastating, especially given French Rugby Federation President Luc Lacoste’s ambition to have grown the game more and more.

Unfortunately for him and the wider rugby league world the new French government felt that profit wasn’t “100% guaranteed” and therefore could not risk running the event.

That prompted plenty of social media reaction bemoaning the international game, none more so from huge French rugby league advocate @catalanmedia.

He compared the cancellation to the pre-war status of rugby league in France, which is documented in Mike Rylance’s book ‘The Forbidden Game’.

The Forbidden Game…

"This difficult decision was taken so as not to threaten the robustness of the major international sporting event models that France now wishes to promote."

Puig Aubert will be looking down with sadness and anger.

❤️💛 https://t.co/Cq5XPK0LvY pic.twitter.com/rnUS58mX1Q

— Catalan Media 🇨🇵 (@catalanmedia) May 15, 2023

That prompted a response from the iconic Aussie commentator Andrew Voss who summed the situation up very simply and bluntly.

So true. Shit day!! @VossyBrandySEN https://t.co/RJsbwZaeK1

— Andrew Voss (@AndrewVossy) May 15, 2023

Others reacted to the official announcement lamenting the decision.

Terrible decision. This hurts the growth and prosperity of rugby league in France. To renege on the initial decision is both embarrassing and disappointing for the French people, travellers which would've contribute to the French economy and the participants across all formats

— Daniel Watson Hayes™ (@dwatsonhayes) May 15, 2023

Some were plain frustrated.

Set up the Rugby League Outsiders to try and promote all the great stories that exist within the sport of Rugby League. We always try and be positive, as there is too much negativity, but this…………….. 🤬 https://t.co/mpR997rmQU

— Rugby League Outsiders (@rloutsiders) May 15, 2023

Others highlighted the fact France will happily host a rugby union World Cup later this year, but won’t be willing to support the 13-player code.

So the people in power in France priority is to stage the Rugby Union World Cup rather than the Rugby League World Cup… wow – you would never have saw that coming…… they really do hate RL don't they.

— Chris P (@ChrisP89938549) May 15, 2023

One of the men involved in launching and working on the successful 2021 World Cup in England even suggested re-running the tournament in England again.

Won't need those French lessons after all 😢

Understandable decision, but still a shame after all the hard we did raising international RL's profile at the last World Cup.

Could it be time to put that Unit A band back together though? https://t.co/N25w8PPsF1

— Gareth Davies (@gareth_davies82) May 15, 2023

For now it’s unclear but the most likely candidate at the moment seems to be down under with New Zealand given their statement of intent.

2025 ✍️ pic.twitter.com/mMgTPcr3Ea

— NZ Rugby League (@NZRL_Kiwis) May 15, 2023