The International World Games Association has held its latest meeting in Madrid, where Birmingham 2021 and a host city for the 2025 World Games were among topics discussed ©IWGA

The International World Games Association (IWGA) Executive Committee has claimed it is "satisfied" with the progress made by organisers of the 2021 event in Birmingham as the body revealed it expects to name a host city for the 2025 edition in May.

Preparations for the World Games in the American city in two years' time was one of the main topics on the agenda at the organisation's meeting in Madrid.

The IWGA warned the Organising Committee had to take "important decisions" in the coming weeks, including final votes on some of the venues due to be used at the multi-sport event.

Birmingham 2021 also have to sign agreements with International Federations whose sports are on the programme at the Games.

The "IF Passports", which feature specifications such as competition days, number of athletes and officials as well as the venue, have not yet been signed with International Federations.

"The IF Passport sets the framework for the detailed final preparation," IWGA chief executive Joachim Gossow said.

The process to determine the host of the 2025 World Games was also discussed at the meeting in the Spanish capital.

The IWGA opened the bidding procedure for the event last year and IWGA President José Perurena revealed the organisation was hopeful the successful city would be revealed at the Annual General Meeting in Gold Coast in May.

Russia is thought to be considering a bid, with Sochi and Kazan two potential cities.

The body also perused over the sports programme for the 2025 World Games onwards.

A total of 37 International Federations are members of the IWGA but there is only space for 30 sports at its flagship event.

A strategy paper was presented at the IWGA Executive Committee meeting, including ideas for cooperation with partners such as the International Olympic Committee, the Global Association of International Sports Federations and the International Paralympic Committee.

"It doesn't always happen that we have the past year, the current situation and the goals for the future on the same agenda," Perurena said.

"We have mastered this challenge together and can now begin preparations for our Annual General Meeting. 

"We will then inform our member federations of all ongoing developments and listen to their ideas on our plans. 

"We will include their proposals in the further discussions."