The World Triathlon Executive Board has approved Spain as the host of the event, scheduled to be held on October 30 and 31, after Almere in The Netherlands withdrew its hosting rights due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The event has been part of World Triathlon’s multisport festival for the past five years and was set to be held in Almere in 2021.

But, due to travel restrictions in The Netherlands, only the long distance and aquabike events will take place in the Dutch city.

It was confirmed last month that the World Triathlon Duathlon Championships, due to be held on November 6 and 7, will also go ahead in Spain after it was moved from Almere to Aviles due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Spain is set to stage the Cross Triathlon World Championships for the third time, with Extremadura hosting the inaugural event in 2011 and Pontevedra playing host to the previous edition as part of the multisport festival.

"It is a pleasure for us to return to Anillo de Extremadura, the venue of the first ever Cross Triathlon World Championships and a perfect place that we know that has all the capabilities to host a wonderful event," said World Triathlon President Marisol Casado.

"The commitment of this region towards sustainability, sport and tourism will make sure that, once again, these World Championships provide a perfect destination not only for the athletes, but also for their entourage, friends and family to enjoy all that Extremadura has to offer the triathlon community."

The event is set to be run under strict COVID-19 guidelines approved by the Spanish Triathlon Federation and World Triathlon.