2026 World Cup: The new World Cup will be held in Australia in 2026.
France was supposed to host the event in 2025, but it pulled out last year because it couldn’t be sure that both the national and local governments would back it.
Australians will host the 2026 World Cups for men, women, and wheelchairs in October and November. Games will also be held in Papua New Guinea.
The head of the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC), Peter V’landys, said that it would be the “most culturally diverse World Cup ever held” and that it would help “cement rugby league as the number one sport in the Pacific.”
The International Rugby League (IRL), which runs the sport, said last summer that it wanted to wait until 2026 to host the event so that it has the best chance of success.
The head of the IRL, Troy Grant, said, “Rugby league has never been stronger in Australia and the Pacific, with stadiums that are packed to the brim, record-breaking TV ratings, and a lot of excitement about expanding into the Pacific.”
“The condensed format will mean every single match is competitive, while the possibility of some games being played as double- or triple-headers represents great value for fans wanting to see the best rugby league talent on the planet.”
After being put off for a year because of Covid-19, England held the most recent World Cup in 2022.
There were going to be 16 teams in the men’s event in 2025, but only 10 will be there in 2026.
Each of the two events for women and wheelchair users will have eight teams.
Australia has won a record 12 times in a row, including the last three tournaments.
The Men’s, Women’s, and Wheelchair Rugby League World Cups will be held in the following countries:
Men’s Rugby League World Cup Hosts
1954 – France
1957 – Australia
1960 – Great Britain (England, Wales, and France)
1968 – Australia and New Zealand
1970 – Great Britain (England)
1972 – France
1975 – Australia, England, France, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Wales (hosted in multiple countries)
1977 – Australia and New Zealand
1985-1988 – Various locations (a series of matches over several years)
1989-1992 – Various locations (a series of matches over several years)
1995 – England
2000 – England, Ireland, and Scotland (UK)
2008 – Australia
2013 – England, Wales, France, and Ireland
2017 – Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea
2021 – England (postponed to 2022 due to COVID-19)
2026 – France
Women’s Rugby League World Cup Hosts
2000 – England
2003 – New Zealand
2008 – Australia
2013 – England
2017 – Australia
2021 – England (postponed to 2022 due to COVID-19)
2026 – France
Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup Hosts
2008 – Australia
2013 – England
2017 – France
2021 – England (postponed to 2022 due to COVID-19)
2026 – France
Men’s Rugby League World Cup Winners
1954 – Great Britain
1957 – Australia
1960 – Great Britain
1968 – Australia
1970 – Australia
1972 – Great Britain
1975 – Australia
1977 – Australia
1985-1988 – Australia (series of matches over several years)
1989-1992 – Australia (series of matches over several years)
1995 – Australia
2000 – Australia
2008 – New Zealand
2013 – Australia
2017 – Australia
2021 – Australia (held in 2022 due to COVID-19)
Women’s Rugby League World Cup Winners
2000 – New Zealand
2003 – New Zealand
2008 – New Zealand
2013 – Australia
2017 – Australia
2021 – Australia (held in 2022 due to COVID-19)
Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup Winners
2008 – England
2013 – France
2017 – France
2021 – France (held in 2022 due to COVID-19)
