Why Choose Australia Again?
Expansion enthusiasts have faced setbacks in securing fresh host nations. Initially, the upcoming World Cup was slated for the United States and Canada in 2025, only for France to emerge as another potential host. However, after those plans faltered, the tournament was delayed to 2026, with New Zealand and Fiji being considered as alternatives. This week, it was officially confirmed that the World Cup will once again take place in Australia (and Papua New Guinea).
As was highlighted during the 2026 Commonwealth Games, very few nations are interested in hosting international events nowadays, especially given the financial risks involved. The IRL dismissed proposals from the Middle East due to concerns about empty stadiums, as well as the complex issues surrounding liberty and equality. The only other notable bid came from New Zealand, which last hosted a final in 1988, but Australia’s strong ties to the NRL gave them the upper hand.
What Caused the Delay?
Determining the conditions for hosting a World Cup, particularly for three simultaneous events (men’s, women’s, and wheelchair), is a complicated process. Negotiations regarding financial contributions and obligations have been central to the recent delays. The Australian Rugby League Commission was influenced by the Australian government’s soft power in Papua New Guinea, and the timing of granting co-hosting rights to Papua New Guinea coincided with speculation of Perth securing the NRL’s 18th franchise.
Additionally, there were financial disputes involving the IRL, which was owed money by the last World Cup organizers, who, in turn, were lacking funds from finalists Samoa. All these matters appear to have finally reached resolution.
Where Will the Matches Take Place?
Lessons learned from the 2017 World Cup, which spanned eight cities in Australia, four in New Zealand, and included Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea, will be applied. Teams endured long, exhausting travel across time zones during the group stages—a situation everyone wishes to avoid this time.
Expect some venue changes: new stadiums in Sydney and Townsville will likely host matches, while temporary locations in Cairns and Darwin may not be necessary this time around. Fans can look forward to double- and triple-header events, with back-to-back men’s and women’s games. The wheelchair tournament will likely be condensed to a couple of Australian cities.
How Will England Prepare?
Should the RFL opt to revive Great Britain for next year’s Ashes tour, as is under consideration, England will enter the World Cup without having played in Australia since 2017. Even if Shaun Wane leads Great Britain for this event, he can select his top 20 players without compromising the Lions brand. Coincidentally, a few of his preferred players, like Toby King and Ben Currie, represent Ireland, while Morgan Knowles plays for Wales.
Therefore, Wane can choose his top 20 players with only a few high-caliber additions needed. St Helens’ loose forward James Bell, a Scotland player born in New Zealand, should be a certain inclusion based on current performance. Meanwhile, the only other non-English qualified player might be Gold Coast Titans’ Jaimin Jolliffe, whose family hails from Northern Ireland’s Newtownards. This strategy allows for the best eligible Great Britain squad available, unlike the 2019 selection led by Wayne Bennett.
Which Teams Will Participate?
The men’s tournament will feature 10 teams. The quarter-finalists from the previous World Cup—Australia, Samoa, New Zealand, England, Lebanon, Tonga, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea—have already secured their spots, while two additional spots remain up for grabs.
The era where any country could qualify with a handful of professional players has ended. Given the disappointing performances of northern hemisphere teams in the last two tournaments, England may emerge as the sole European representative at the 2026 men’s event.
With only IRL full members eligible now, France is expected to easily win the European qualifiers—unless Serbia manages to gather their numerous NRL stars, including the Trbojevic brothers. For Wales to stand a chance, they would need their often-absent Super League players to participate. They will face Serbia in Carcassonne on 22 October, while France will take on Ukraine, with the winners competing in Perpignan on 26 October. Those victors will then playoff against Jamaica, South Africa, and the Cook Islands next year, with the top two qualifying for the World Cup.
What Will the Men’s Format Look Like?
Details are yet to be announced. However, unlike the last 10-team World Cup held in 2008, which featured an unsatisfactory “super group” and redundant games, splitting the teams into two groups of five would ensure more compelling clashes among the Pacific powerhouses. This arrangement would likely guarantee full stadiums and significant television viewership for matches including Australia, Tonga, Samoa, and New Zealand.
Regardless of the format, for England to secure victory, they will almost certainly need to defeat both Australia and New Zealand. Given their losing streak of the last 10 World Cup matches against these teams, dating back to the 1995 opener, optimism may be unwarranted.
What About the Women’s and Wheelchair Events?
Expect a more substantial European presence in these tournaments. For the first time, an eight-team women’s tournament will feature a qualifying stage. France and Wales have secured their spots, with Ireland still in contention. The wheelchair event will likewise comprise eight teams, with the four semi-finalists from the last World Cup already qualified. Scotland and Ireland are anticipated to participate in the qualifying competition.
What Will Set 2026 Apart?
The men’s tournament will embody a growing trend for shorter competitions that spotlight the world’s elite athletes donning, to paraphrase Jerry Seinfeld, unusual gear. Branding doesn’t require a dozen major matches yearly; many successful sports leagues—such as international football, cricket, and rugby union—oversee this structure primarily for profitability. State of Origin demonstrates that as few as three high-profile events annually can be sufficient. The World Cup will resemble the Big Bash, IPL, or Hundred more than the expansive 16-team format witnessed in England in 2017.
The seven southern hemisphere teams will not have opportunities to establish their presence through mid-season internationals. Instead, they will arrive after the NRL finals and need to make an immediate impact during this six-week sports showcase.
The decision to limit the tournament to 10 teams indicates that the IRL has acknowledged its limitations in claiming global significance comparable to the FIFA World Cup or World Rugby Cup. Organizers hope the event will feature a concentrated showcase of top talent. The rugby league World Cup must integrate with its premier brand: the NRL. The 2026 edition will effectively serve as an expanded version of the end-of-season Pacific Cup celebration, where NRL stars will compete as national representatives, donning various kits to celebrate their heritage in this sporting and cultural festival. Bring it on!
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