More than 10 countries, including Singapore and Wales, have already expressed an interest in hosting the tournament.

A decision on who will stage the World Cup will be made by the International Rugby Union (IRB) and announced on May 14, 2015.

The IRB will distribute tender documentation to host unions interested in bidding on August 29, with bids to be submitted by December 14.

USA Rugby Chief Executive Officer Nigel Melville said: "The USA Rugby Board have already established a Rugby World Cup bid committee under the chairmanship of board member Will Chang and talks have already taken place with a small number of cities who have expressed interest in hosting this incredible event."

The 2018 World Cup, the seventh to be held, will be staged five years after the last tournament in Moscow, Russia after the IRB decided to alter the cycle, with rugby sevens making its Olympic debut in Rio 2016.

"I am delighted to be chairing USA Rugby's Rugby World Cup 2018 bid committee and I look forward to hearing from cities interested in hosting this incredible event," said Chang.

"The Rugby World Cup Sevens in 2018 will be an important global rugby event ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games and will continue to support the growth of rugby sevens in America.

"This will be a great opportunity for USA Rugby fans to watch a Rugby World Cup on home soil."

The United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Argentina and Scotland have all previously hosted the competition, which made its debut in 1993.

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