The global governing body has two associate members who represent confederations - Asia Pacific Rugby League (APRL) and the Rugby League European Federation (RLEF).

The IRL is hoping to increase that number in response to what it called the "rapid development of participation and membership in the Middle East Africa (MEA) region and the Americas, both north and south".

A roadmap detailing the six steps confederations need to fulfil to become associate members has been published by IRL.

Confederations must have a minimum of four full members and six affiliate members in the region in order to be accepted.

IRL deputy chair Graeme Thompson said the new confederations could be established within two years.

"This is a welcome and timely development in our growth as an international sport," said Thompson. 

"We have seen the rapid growth of rugby league in both the Americas and the MEA regions and it is entirely appropriate that we should be progressing them to self-govern within the overall IRL framework.

"This is a real collaboration with and between members in order to further support the international development of rugby league.

"I anticipate that it will take at least two years for the first new confederations to become associate members, but it is fantastic to see the commitment and the enthusiasm from the members and staff in the regions who are leading this project. 

"They are both advanced in the process and we are all ready to support their efforts."

IRL said each region has already started the process of creating a steering group, drawn from the membership, with a view to becoming an associate member of the organisation.

APRL broadly represents the Southern Hemisphere nations, with Northern Hemisphere countries largely falling under the RLEF.