The hosts for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup are expected to be named in October 2016, giving them five years to organise the event.
The selection process has been outlined by the Rugby League International Federation board, who will meet later this month to draw up the competition format, structure and qualifying process.
The board says expressions of interest will be sought by the first quarter of 2015 and invitations to tender will be sent out and an evaluation committee appointed, with bids submitted during the first quarter of 2016.
A final decision on the successful application is expected in October 2016, with the 16th Rugby League World Cup taking place in October and November 2021.
RLIF chairman Nigel Wood said: "More than ever before we are trying to put in place a long-term, meaningful international calendar and this is a vital staging point in that process.
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"In the past, the World Cup has suffered from irregular timing but it is now enshrined in a four-year cycle as one of sport's blue-ribbon events.
"I fully anticipate that for 2021 more nations than ever before will be submitting bids to stage the tournament and, with the decision being made in advance of the 2017 competition, there will be excellent opportunities to shadow organisers and learn from that event."
The 2017 World Cup will be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand, who got the nod ahead of South Africa. England and Wales hosted the 2013 event.
