The wait is almost over.
The 2026 Rugby League World Cup is just days away, with the opening match seeing the defending champions Australia take on New Zealand in a blockbuster Trans-Tasman clash at Allianz Stadium on Thursday, October 15.
And if the squads are anything to go by, this could be one of the most competitive Rugby League World Cups we have seen.
Ten nations will battle it out across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, with the tournament culminating in the World Cup Final at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium on November 15.
Australia remains the team everyone wants to knock off, but New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga and Fiji all have enough star power to cause a major upset.
So, before the first ball is kicked, let's run through every squad, identify the players who could make the difference and, most importantly, make our 2026 Rugby League World Cup predictions.
1. Australia Kangaroos
The squad
The Kangaroos have undergone something of a changing of the guard, with Isaah Yeo named captain of a squad containing six potential World Cup debutants.
The 23 includes Reece Walsh, James Tedesco, Tom Trbojevic, Latrell Mitchell, Cameron Munster, Mitchell Moses, Harry Grant, Cameron Murray, Liam Martin, and Patrick Carrigan.
There was also a late change, with Lindsay Smith replacing the injured Lindsay Collins.
Analysis
It might not have quite the same intimidating look as some previous Kangaroos squads, but that doesn't mean Australia has suddenly become vulnerable.
Far from it.
The spine is loaded with class. Reece Walsh provides devastating speed and broken-field running, Munster remains one of the game's great big-game players, while Moses gives Australia a genuine kicking game and organisational halfback.
Then there is the depth through the middle.
Yeo, Murray, Carrigan, Martin, Fifita and Fa'asuamaleaui give Australia plenty of size and work rate, while Harry Grant is arguably the most dangerous attacking hooker in international rugby league.
The biggest question is how quickly this relatively new-look combination gels.
Australia's opening game against New Zealand will provide an immediate answer.
Player to watch: Reece Walsh
If Walsh gets space, he can completely change a game within minutes.
Our prediction: 1st – World Champions
Until somebody beats them in a World Cup, Australia gets the nod.
Playing the tournament on home soil, combined with their enormous depth of talent, makes the Kangaroos the team to beat.
Tip: Australia to win the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.
2. New Zealand Kiwis
The squad
If there is one team capable of stopping Australia, it is New Zealand.
The Kiwis have named an outstanding squad led by captain James Fisher-Harris, with Kalyn Ponga, Jahrome Hughes, Dylan Brown, Joseph Tapine, Isaiah Papali'i, Briton Nikora, Naufahu Whyte and Moses Leota among the stars.
Ponga and Dane Gagai are among the new faces, while the Kiwis have retained a strong core from the side that won the 2025 Pacific Championships.
Analysis
New Zealand's biggest strength is its balance.
They have elite outside backs, dangerous halves and one of the strongest forward packs in the tournament.
Jahrome Hughes and Dylan Brown give them creativity through the middle, while Ponga adds another dimension at fullback.
And then there is Fisher-Harris.
The Kiwis captain sets the tone through the middle and will be critical if New Zealand is to win the battle against Australia's enormous forward pack.
The first game of the tournament could hardly be bigger.
Australia v New Zealand will likely determine who finishes on top of Pool A, and it could also provide an early indication of which team has the edge heading towards the final stages.
Player to watch: Kalyn Ponga
After returning to the international arena, Ponga has the ability to be one of the stars of the entire tournament.
Our prediction: 2nd – Runners-up
New Zealand has enough quality to reach the final.
However, we're tipping Australia to have just enough experience and depth to deny the Kiwis once again.
Tip: New Zealand to finish runners-up.
3. Toa Samoa
The squad
Samoa's squad is absolutely stacked.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Sua Fa'alogo, Stephen Crichton, Brian To'o, Jarome Luai, Junior Paulo, Jeremiah Nanai, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Spencer Leniu headline a side that has been building towards this World Cup for several years.
Newcastle's remarkable 2026 finals run has also been rewarded, with Francis Manuleleua, Jermaine McEwen, Greg Marzhew and Pasami Saulo earning selection.
Analysis
Samoa came agonisingly close to winning the 2022 World Cup, eventually falling to Australia in the final.
Four years later, they arguably have an even more exciting squad.
The combination of Luai, Tabuai-Fidow, Crichton and To'o gives Samoa an enormous amount of attacking firepower.
The question is whether they can maintain discipline and defensive consistency against the very best teams.
They also face a difficult Pool B campaign, with Tonga, England, PNG, France and Lebanon all in the same pool.
There is little room for error.
Player to watch: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
The Hammer has the speed, power and unpredictability to destroy defensive lines.
Our prediction: 3rd – Semi-finalists
Samoa has the talent to win the tournament.
We're just not quite convinced they'll put everything together consistently enough to go all the way.
Tip: Samoa to reach the semi-finals.
4. Tonga
The squad
If rugby league was decided purely by forward packs, Tonga would be almost impossible to beat.
The Mate Ma'a have selected a powerhouse group including Jason Taumalolo, Addin Fonua-Blake, Haumole Olakau'atu, Stefano Utoikamanu, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Tyson Frizell.
They also have genuine attacking talent in the backs and halves, including Isaiya Katoa and Isaiah Iongi.
Analysis
Tonga's pack is frightening.
Fonua-Blake, Taumalolo, Olakau'atu and Utoikamanu can physically dominate opponents and give Tonga the platform required for their backs to attack.
The addition of Frizell is particularly interesting. The veteran has represented Wales and Australia previously before committing to Tonga, and this will be his third World Cup.
The challenge is turning that enormous physical advantage into consistent points.
Tonga's opening match against England could be one of the most important games of Pool B.
Player to watch: Haumole Olakau'atu
A player capable of bending defensive lines and dominating the middle-third battle.
Our prediction: 4th – Semi-finalists
Tonga has enough firepower to make the final four.
Whether they can defeat one of Australia, New Zealand or Samoa when it really matters is another question.
Tip: Tonga to reach the semi-finals.
5. Fiji Bati
The squad
Fiji enters the tournament with genuine ambition.
Co-captains Api Koroisau and Viliame Kikau will lead a squad featuring Jahream Bula, Sunia Turuva, Maika Sivo and a host of NRL talent.
The Bati reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2017 and have developed into one of international rugby league's most dangerous sides.
Analysis
Fiji's biggest weapon is their ability to play unpredictable, attacking rugby league.
Koroisau gives them an experienced organiser at dummy-half, while Kikau provides devastating ball-playing ability on the edge.
Jahream Bula and Sunia Turuva add plenty of speed out wide.
Their Pool A draw, however, is brutal.
Fiji faces Cook Islands before taking on Australia and New Zealand.
That means there is virtually no room for a bad performance.
Player to watch: Api Koroisau
The veteran hooker could be the difference in tight games.
Our prediction: 5th – Pool stage
This feels harsh on Fiji, but the draw is simply unforgiving.
They could beat almost anyone outside the top four, but finishing behind Australia and New Zealand in Pool A would leave them needing a huge result to progress.
Tip: Fiji to narrowly miss the semi-finals.
6. England
The squad
England has a fascinating mix of Super League experience and NRL talent.
Herbie Farnworth, Dom Young, Jack Welsby, Victor Radley, Kai Pearce-Paul, Morgan Smithies, Max King and AJ Brimson headline the squad, while Sydney Roosters utility Hugo Savala has earned selection after an impressive 2026 season.
New coach Brian McDermott has also selected Wigan's Mikey Lewis, Junior Nsemba and Brad O'Neill.
Analysis
England's biggest strength could be their versatility.
They have players capable of playing multiple positions and a mixture of NRL and Super League experience.
Farnworth and Dom Young provide genuine strike out wide, while Welsby is one of the most exciting young fullbacks in the game.
But England's road to the semi-finals is difficult.
They open against Tonga before playing France and PNG.
That final match against the Kumuls could be enormous.
Player to watch: Herbie Farnworth
The Dally M Centre of the Year will be expected to provide plenty of attacking punch.
Our prediction: 6th – Pool stage
England could absolutely prove us wrong.
However, Tonga and Papua New Guinea present two difficult challenges, and we're tipping England to finish just outside the top four.
Tip: England to miss the semi-finals.
7. Papua New Guinea Kumuls
The squad
Papua New Guinea will be one of the most fascinating teams to watch.
The Kumuls have a passionate home crowd behind them and plenty of experience throughout their squad, with players such as Alex Johnston, Lachlan Lam, Edwin Ipape and captain Rhyse Martin among the key figures.
Analysis
PNG are capable of making life extremely uncomfortable for anybody.
The Kumuls' opening match against Lebanon in Port Moresby gives them a perfect opportunity to start the tournament strongly.
They then face Samoa before a potentially decisive clash with England.
That means the final round could determine whether PNG makes the semi-finals.
Their home support could be a genuine advantage.
Port Moresby will be rocking when the Kumuls take the field.
Player to watch: Alex Johnston
Few players in world rugby league possess AJ's finishing ability.
If PNG can get him into space, he can turn half-chances into tries.
Our prediction: 7th – Pool stage
PNG could easily finish higher, particularly with the home crowd behind them.
But Samoa, England and Tonga make Pool B incredibly difficult.
Tip: PNG to finish third in Pool B.
8. Cook Islands
The squad
The Cook Islands continue to punch above their weight and will be led by a number of players with extensive NRL experience.
KL Iro is one of the key names, while the Aitu also have players such as Brendan Piakura and other NRL-level talent throughout their squad.
Analysis
The Cook Islands have a huge opportunity in 2026.
They open against Fiji before facing New Zealand and Australia.
That is about as difficult as a World Cup schedule gets.
However, this is exactly the sort of tournament where the Cook Islands can make a statement.
They don't have the depth of Australia or New Zealand, but their best 17 can compete with plenty of international sides.
Player to watch: KL Iro
The Sharks centre has the ability to cause problems for even the best defensive lines.
Our prediction: 8th – Pool stage
Unfortunately for the Aitu, their draw is brutal.
They could potentially upset Fiji, but getting past both Australia and New Zealand would be a monumental challenge.
Tip: Cook Islands to finish third in Pool A.
9. Lebanon Cedars
The squad
Lebanon has plenty of familiar names for Australian rugby league fans, including Adam Doueihi, Alex Twal and Jordan Samrani, while Jacob Kiraz is another player capable of making an impact.
Analysis
The Cedars have developed significantly in recent years and will be hoping to cause an upset in Pool B.
Adam Doueihi provides creativity and experience, while the presence of NRL players gives Lebanon a higher level of quality than many international observers might expect.
The problem is their draw.
They open against Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby before facing Tonga and France.
That first match could be critical.
If Lebanon can beat PNG, the Cedars could suddenly find themselves in the conversation for a semi-final place.
Player to watch: Adam Doueihi
If Doueihi can stay healthy and control games with the ball, Lebanon has a chance of surprising a few people.
Our prediction: 9th – Pool stage
We can see Lebanon competing strongly but ultimately falling short against the stronger sides in Pool B.
Tip: Lebanon to finish fourth in Pool B.
10. France
The squad
France is the team missing from the original list of nine nations, but they are the tenth men's team competing at RLWC2026.
The French squad contains a strong contingent from the Catalans Dragons and Toulouse Olympique, with Benjamin Garcia captaining the side. Latrell Siegwalt is another intriguing selection after an impressive debut NRL season with South Sydney.
Analysis
France is probably the hardest team to predict.
There is genuine quality throughout the squad, but the French side doesn't possess the depth of the Pacific nations or Australia and New Zealand.
The bulk of the squad comes from the French domestic and Super League systems, and this tournament represents a major opportunity to test themselves against the world's best.
Their Pool B schedule sees them face Samoa, England and Lebanon.
The Lebanon match could ultimately determine whether France avoids the bottom of the group.
Player to watch: Latrell Siegwalt
The South Sydney rookie has genuine versatility and arrives at the World Cup after a promising first NRL season.
Our prediction: 10th – Pool stage
France will be competitive and could certainly cause an upset, but the strength of Pool B makes a deep run extremely unlikely.
Tip: France to finish fifth in Pool B.
Our 2026 Rugby League World Cup Predictions
After analysing all ten squads, here is how we see the tournament finishing:
| Position | Nation | Prediction |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Australia | World Champions |
| 2nd | New Zealand | Runners-up |
| 3rd | Samoa | Semi-final |
| 4th | Tonga | Semi-final |
| 5th | Fiji | Pool stage |
| 6th | England | Pool stage |
| 7th | Papua New Guinea | Pool stage |
| 8th | Cook Islands | Pool stage |
| 9th | Lebanon | Pool stage |
| 10th | France | Pool stage |
The Dark Horse: Tonga
If we're looking for one team outside Australia and New Zealand that could genuinely win the World Cup, it's Tonga.
The Mate Ma'a have enormous power through the middle and enough attacking talent to trouble anybody.
If Isaiya Katoa can control games and Tonga's forwards establish dominance, don't be surprised if they go deeper than our prediction.
The Big Question: Can Anyone Stop Australia?
Australia enters the tournament as the defending champion and remains the most successful nation in World Cup history.
But this doesn't feel like some of the previous Kangaroos squads where the result almost seemed inevitable.
New Zealand has a brilliant squad.
Samoa has serious attacking firepower.
Tonga has an enormous pack.
Fiji is capable of producing magic.
And England and PNG could both cause problems.
The opening Australia v New Zealand clash could therefore be one of the most important games of the entire tournament.
Our Tip: Australia to Win the 2026 Rugby League World Cup
Ultimately, we're backing the Kangaroos.
The combination of home-ground advantage, experience, depth and sheer individual quality makes Australia the team to beat.
New Zealand will push them all the way, while Samoa and Tonga could both make the final weekend extremely interesting.
But when the World Cup Final rolls around at Suncorp Stadium on November 15, we're tipping Australia to lift the Paul Barrière Trophy once again.
The World Cup is almost here.
Bring it on!
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