Males’s Rugby League World Cup 2026: group-by-group preview

The Rugby League World Cup returns with a brand new format and a brand new really feel this week, however within the males’s occasion there’s a acquainted clutch of countries vying for glory. Ten groups will compete in a fancy group format, with solely 4 semi-final spots on supply after the quarter-final stage was eliminated.

Two of these semi-finalists will come from the four-strong Group Some time the remaining six nations play in a brand new inter-group format. The nations within the three-team Group B play the three in Group C and vice versa, with the highest two from a mixed desk of each swimming pools going into the semis.

Can Australia go all the best way once more for a record-extending thirteenth time? Can New Zealand repeat what they did in 2008 and stun the rugby league globe? Or is it lastly England’s time beneath their new head coach, Brian McDermott?

Group A

Australia

Coach Kevin Walters Captain Isaah Yeo Previous finest Winners (12 instances)
The Kangaroos go off as overwhelming favourites to win on residence soil and with good motive – however there are a few gaps of their beforehand invincible armour. For starters, the most effective participant within the globe is absent with Nathan Cleary out due to injury. There had been additionally moments in final 12 months’s Ashes the place Australia seemed susceptible, however England couldn’t make them pay. They will probably be within the last no doubt – however they may come unstuck towards the staff they open towards on Thursday in New Zealand.
Prediction Runners-up

New Zealand

Coach Stacey Jones Captain James Fisher-Harris Previous finest Winners (2008)
The Kiwis face the tough activity of the defending champions first up – however they appear like a aspect who may develop into the match. Stacey Jones has arguably the most effective ahead pack of the entire area, and with the likes of Kalyn Ponga and Jahrome Hughes inflicting chaos behind their center unit, there’s an argument that New Zealand might be favourites.
Prediction Winners

Cook Islands

Coach Karmichael Hunt Captains KL Iro and Marata Niukore Previous finest Group phases (2000, 2013, 2022)
They have by no means certified for the knockout phases of a Rugby League World Cup, and the chances on Cook Islands making historical past this time are lengthy, given who they’re in a gaggle with. They will excite and the likes of KL Iro and Valentine Holmes are names to be careful for – however their finest hope is maybe third place.
Prediction 4th in group

Fiji

Coach Mick Potter Captain Api Koroisau Previous finest Semi-finals (2008, 2013, 2017)
The story is way the identical for Fiji, who’ve the expertise to trigger some upsets however in the end have a near-impossible group to get out of. They needs to be assured of beating the Cook Islands however they might want to declare at the very least one of many best scalps in rugby league historical past to face an opportunity of qualifying for the semi-finals.
Prediction third in group

Group B

England

Coach Brian McDermott Captain George Williams Previous finest Runners-up (1975, 1995, 2017)
Given the sophisticated format, the strain is on England from minute one this week. Brian McDermott’s aspect know that defeat to Tonga on Saturday might be deadly to their possibilities of making the final 4. However, whereas some are down on England’s probabilities, they’ve the expertise to get out of the group stage at the very least, with extra winnable video games towards Papua New Guinea and France to comply with. McDermott has promised his imaginative and prescient for England will look completely different to his predecessors; count on the nationwide staff to play huge, expansive rugby league in an try and lastly get excessive of the globe’s finest sides. It will probably be an almighty ask to go all the best way.
Prediction Semi-finals

Lebanon

Coach Michael Cheika Captain Jacob Kiraz Previous finest Quarter-finals (2017)
Michael Cheika is again for a second crack at a Rugby League World Cup with Lebanon, having led the Cedars in England 4 years in the past. They have a sprinkling of world-class expertise together with the Canterbury Bulldogs star Jacob Kiraz – however with solely two qualifying locations for six groups, the possibilities of them reaching the knockouts are, sadly, low.
Prediction Eliminated in group stage

Samoa

Coach Ben Gardiner Captain Jarome Luai Previous finest Runners-up (2022)
Samoa grew to become the story of the World Cup 4 years in the past once they surprised England within the semi-finals to succeed in their first last. They look simply as robust once more this time round, and will probably be assured of moving into the ultimate 4 on the very least. Their last group recreation towards Tonga will probably be essential for each – and it is going to be unmissable viewing. Expect Ben Gardiner’s aspect to go deep once more; they may have aspirations of going all the best way.
Prediction Semi-finals

Group C

Tonga

Coach Kristian Woolf Captain Addin Fonua-Blake Previous finest Semi-finals (2017)
Tonga face the same predicament to England when the edges meet on Saturday, realizing that defeat at such an early stage might be deadly. But in contrast to England, they’ve one other daunting group recreation towards Samoa to cope with too. Kristian Woolf’s aspect have loads of stars, headlined by the Dolphins maverick Isaiya Katoa – however they might be the nation who the sophisticated and tough format works towards probably the most.
Prediction Eliminated in group stage

France

Coach Laurent Frayssinous Captain Ben Garcia Previous finest Runners-up (1954, 1968)
As the one different northern hemisphere aspect other than England, Les Bleus will probably be nicely value keeping track of given the quantity of Super League expertise they’ve. That expertise, together with the likes of Hull KR’s Arthur Mourgue, will guarantee they compete in each recreation, however it’s tough to see France progressing out of the group stage.
Prediction Eliminated in group stage

Papua New Guinea

Coach Jason Demetriou Captain Rhyse Martin Previous finest Quarter-finals (2000, 2017, 2022)
No nation gives extra color and keenness than Papua New Guinea. Their video games towards Lebanon and Samoa in Port Moresby will probably be spine-tingling and the Kumuls will fancy their possibilities of inflicting one or two upsets, too. However, they should beat one – or possibly each – of Samoa and England of their three video games to qualify. That may be too powerful a activity.
Prediction Eliminated in group stage