Russia, Ukraine and Jamaica have been awarded full member status of the Rugby League International Federation at the annual meeting of the general assembly in Cardiff.
Russia lost their status in 2010 following a series of breaches but were accepted back into the fold following a re-organisation, while Canada, Latvia and Malta were accepted as affiliate members of the European Federation.
RLIF chairman Scott Carter said: "This is another really exciting development for international rugby league as we head into a World Cup that is looking like being the most successful ever.
"All the nations bring something rich and varied to the table and I must compliment the job being done by the European Federation, which has worked tirelessly to develop and progress all these countries."
