English Lacrosse has pulled out of hosting next year’s Men’s Lacrosse World Championship to safeguard the ‘financial sustainability’ of the sport.

The event had been due to be held in Manchester in July 2018 but will now take place in Israel with more than 40 countries taking part over 10 days.

Matches would have been held at either the Manchester University Armitage Sports Centre in Fallowfield or at Hough End in Whalley Range.

English Lacrosse says it was a ‘very difficult decision’ but will offer support to the new hosts.

This year’s Women’s Lacrosse World Cup will take place in Guildford from 12-22 July.

The English Lacrosse statement in full reads: “It is with regret that English Lacrosse (EL) announce our official withdrawal from hosting the 2018 FIL Men’s Lacrosse World Championships.

“This has been a very difficult decision for the sport to make and has been taken with the utmost consideration for the successful hosting of the event and the financial sustainability of lacrosse in England.

“The EL board after great consideration and consultation, found the event, in the form EL would wish to deliver, placed the governing body and sport at unacceptable financial risk.

“The Federation of International Lacrosse have subsequently announced that Israel has been agreed as the new host nation for the 2018 event. English Lacrosse have offered any support we can give to both the FIL and the new host.”

England head coach Tom Wenham has picked a 28-man elite squad for the event including players from Stockport, Heaton Mersey, Poynton, Timperley, Brooklands and Cheadle.