The USARL, which has been an IRL member since 2014, has entered into the review to consider reforms in the context of the American sports landscape.

It seeks alignments with the growing number of rugby league associations in the US, which has been an issue throughout the sport's history in the country.

In 2009, the National Rugby League USA (NRLUS) broke away from the American National Rugby League (AMNRL), the national governing body at the time.

Two years later, the USARL formed and, in 2014, it replaced the now-defunct AMNRL as rugby league's governing body of the sport.

The US had been in line to win the right to host the 2025 Rugby League World Cup, but plans had to be aborted due to financial difficulties.

The USARL now faces competition from the North American Rugby League (NARL), another breakaway league that hoped to be the first professional rugby league competition in the US, starting in 2021.

The NARL had to push its first season back to 2022 because of the coronavirus pandemic and increased insurance and travel costs.

The review will provide recommendations to the USARL Board on the structural model to best position the governing body to lead the sport forward.

A working party will conduct the review alongside the USARL, which is comprised of European Rugby League’s general manager David Butler, Danny Kazandjian, the IRL secretary general, Dave Maiden, a senior manager from Queensland Rugby League, and Romeo Monteith, the Americas regional director at European Rugby League.

North America, Central America and the Caribbean falls under European Rugby League's jurisdiction, with the Asia Pacific Rugby League Confederation responsible for South America

IRL chairman Troy Grant said: "A key function of the International Federation is to provide support for its members, so we were really pleased to enter into this partnership with USARL. 

"I have previously commented on the importance of the USA to international rugby league and this opportunity to review the governance gives the sport the opportunity to ensure that the model accurately and effectively provides for the requirements of a major sport in the world’s largest sports market."

USARL chairman Peter Illfield added: "On behalf of the USARL Board of Directors and all stakeholders of rugby league in the USA, issues with the national structure were submitted by members and other parties as concerns that may inhibit development, expansion and the overall sustainability of rugby league in the USA. 

"We are thankful the IRL has responded to our request for assistance that hopefully provides satisfactory compliance, acceptable reform and mutual alignment for all stakeholders who contribute to the growth and development of Rugby League in the USA. 

"USARL will commit to a fully inclusive and participatory role in a USARL-IRL joint process and agree to support and collaborate in the reform agenda."