Rugby League World Cup 2026 starts with new format

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 08:19 · Archive

The 2026 Rugby League World Cup begins on 15 October in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea with men's, women's and wheelchair tournaments.

The 2026 Rugby League World Cup begins on 15 October with the men's tournament getting under way. Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea are hosting the men's, women's and wheelchair competitions.

The men's event features a new format with ten teams split into three groups. Group A contains four teams, with the top two progressing to the semi-finals. Groups B and C each have three teams that play inter-pool matches against teams in the opposing pool, with the two highest-ranked teams from a combined ladder also progressing to the semi-finals. This removes the quarter-final stage.

Australia are the defending men's champions and are described as overwhelming favourites to win on home soil, seeking what would be a record-extending 13th title. However, they will be without their best player, Nathan Cleary, who is out due to injury. England begin their challenge on 17 October against Tonga, under new head coach Brian McDermott, while New Zealand are also seen as main contenders. The women's tournament starts the same day, with England facing Wales, whilst the wheelchair tournament begins on 30 October.

How it is being reported

• Men’s Rugby League World Cup 2026: group-by-group previewAustralia and New Zealand are main contenders on home soil while pressure is straight on England in new format The Rugby League World Cup returns with a new format and a new feel this week, but in the men’s event there is a familiar clutch of nations vying for glory. Ten teams will compete in a complex group format, with only four semi-final spots on offer after the quarter-final stage was removed. Two of those semi-finalists will come from the four-strong Group A while the remaining six nations play in a new inter-group format. The nations in the three-team Group B play the three in Group C…The Guardian · 13 Oct, 08:00
• Rugby League World Cup 2026: Schedule, dates, format, resultsThe 2026 Rugby League World Cup is just around the corner, with Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea playing host to the men's, women's and wheelchair tournaments.Sky Sports · 12 Oct, 10:45

In this story: Australia · New Zealand · Papua New Guinea · England · Nathan Cleary · Brian McDermott

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