Rugby League World Cup games will be hosted in North America for the first time, but the US national team will not be automatically handed a qualification spot for the 2030 tournament.
As part of the lead-up to this weekend's men's and women's finals between Australia and New Zealand in Brisbane, the International Rugby League (IRL) made several announcements on Monday, including the location of the 2030 tournament, which will be spread across the US and the Pacific.
Using a Magic Round-style format, a round of fixtures will be hosted in alternative cities across five weekends that includes three group-stage games, a semi-final and final.
The men's tournament will expand from 10 to 12 teams, with the women's increasing from eight to 10, as US locations such as Hawaii, Utah and California - where there are large Pasifika diasporas - appear early contenders to host fixtures.
But the US - which last competed at the 2017 men's tournament - will be forced to qualify for the event because the NRL and the Australian Rugby League Commission will shoulder the risk associated with running the 2030 World Cup.
"The evidence is there for everyone to see how exceptional the NRL's capability is," Grant said in Sydney on Monday.
"They do this in Vegas, as an example, and they're entering into a period where they're taking a global round into the market, so they're the perfect partners for us.
"Their professionalism is unmatched in rugby league, and I've worked with Peter V'landys for 12 years now ... you've seen the impact he's had here in rugby league, so I've got nothing but confidence, as does my entire board."
Grant said the IRL had considered hosting the 2030 tournament in Europe as the NRL nears an investment deal in the Super League, but revealed it was his "aspiration" to host the 2034 tournament across Europe and North America.
As well as announcing the 2030 hosts, Grant revealed discussions were under way to raise Tonga and Samoa from tier-two to tier-one nations.
"We want to go through a consultation process to ensure that there's no unintended consequences from that decision, so everybody understands what that elevation to tier one means," he said.
In other news, France - well beaten by Samoa and England before playing out a World Cup classic against Lebanon - are expected to tour the southern hemisphere in 2027.
Grant also defended the IRL's decision to widen the game's international eligibility rules, allowing players to represent a country through the heritage of their great grandparent rather than grandparent.
"I think we have players sitting on the sidelines who the public deserve to see show their skills on the international stage," he said.