The Iroquois Nationals could be allowed to compete at the World Games 2022, but currently are not permitted ©World Lacrosse

World Lacrosse has confirmed that they are working with the Organising Committee of the 2022 World Games to change the format of the sport's competition to allow indigenous groups to take part.

Scheduled to take place in the city of Birmingham in the state of Alabama in the United States, a recent petition was launched to convince the organisers of the World Games to allow the Iroquois Nationals lacrosse team to compete.

It had also called for 10 nations to boycott the event unless the situation was resolved.

The Iroquois Nationals, which represents the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, do not meet eligibility requirements to take part at the multi-sport Games.

They have met the qualification criteria but have not been invited to the Games.

The Iroquois Nationals are also a full member of World Lacrosse, the sport's global governing body, while the Haudenosaunee - a Confederacy of six First Nations: Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and Tuscarora Nations - invented lacrosse.

World Games eligibility follows the regulations of the International Olympic Committee which in article 30 of the Olympic Charter states: "The expression country means an independent State recognised by the international community."

In a joint statement from the International World Games Association (IWGA), World Lacrosse and the World Games 2022 Birmingham Organising Committee, there was a suggestion that the dispute could be resolved.

It read: "The IWGA, World Lacrosse and the World Games 2022 Birmingham Organising Committee can confirm they are working in partnership to explore whether it is necessary to change the format for the lacrosse competition at the World Games 2022.

"While committed to the established framework and approved eligibility criteria for the World Games, the IWGA, World Lacrosse and Birmingham Organising Committee also have inclusiveness among their key core values, and therefore are working together to see how these priorities can be balanced, where special circumstances exist.

"There is no set time frame for the conclusion of these discussions, as exploring reasonable solutions and finding an appropriate balance are the priorities.

"The World Games 2022 are still two years away, but all partners are very keen to each an early agreement."