Chattertons - Magazine - Page 14
RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD
CUP 2026 PREVIEW
Rugby league’s global showpiece returns with
three thrilling tournaments overseas.
T
he Rugby League World Cup
returns this autumn, with
Australia, New Zealand and Papua
New Guinea welcoming the world’s
best players for a month-long
celebration of the sport. Running
from 15 October to 15 November, the
2026 tournament brings together
the Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair
competitions, involving 26 teams
representing 14 nations.
The Men’s World Cup launches in
spectacular fashion at Sydney’s
Allianz Stadium, where defending
champions Australia face fierce rivals
New Zealand. The Kangaroos remain
the team everyone wants to beat,
but a compact 10-team competition
should ensure few straightforward
14
PROPERTY NEWS
encounters. England begin their
campaign against Tonga in Perth on
17 October, before facing France and
Papua New Guinea as they seek a
route into the semi-finals.
Pacific rugby league will provide
plenty of intrigue too. Samoa, Tonga,
Fiji and Papua New Guinea all bring
passionate support and considerable
talent, while the eagerly awaited
Samoa versus Tonga encounter on
1 November could prove crucial to
qualification.
Alongside the men, the eightteam Women’s World Cup
promises another showcase of
elite international rugby league.
Australia begin against Samoa, while
England share a group with the
defending champions, Wales and
Samoa. Meanwhile, eight nations will
contest the Wheelchair World Cup in
Wollongong, with England among
the leading contenders.
The Men’s and Women’s finals
will form a huge double-header at
Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on 15
November, while the Wheelchair
final takes place two days earlier.
With 53 matches across 31 days,
RLWC2026 promises powerful
rivalries, packed stadiums and a
genuine festival of international
rugby league, placing the sport’s
growing global reach firmly in the
spotlight.
