The U.S. has decided not to bid for the 2023 World Cup leaving France, Ireland, Italy, and South Africa as the only teams in the running. The U.S. never officially expressed an interest like the other nations but did recently attend a meeting World Rugby held to explain the bidding process to potentially interested nations. The news shouldn't come as too big of a shock as the U.S. were never likely to win in 2023 and examining the process was seen more as a step toward bidding for the 2027 World Cup.
World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapassett said in a press release: “Although USA Rugby ultimately decided not to proceed with a formal bid, it was very encouraging that they originally had expressed an interest in hosting rugby’s flagship tournament. In the end, they decided to focus instead on other upcoming projects, not least the hosting of Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018, but they are an ambitious and progressive union and I have no doubt they will bid to host Rugby World Cup at some point in the future.”
The host country for the tournament will be selected in May 2017.