International Rugby League (IRL), the global governing body for the sport, has laid out the pathway to the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, confirming that the recently announced World Series will be the final qualifer for the main tournament.
The World Series will feature the best four non-qualified teams from around the world, with one per confederation, who will then play off with the top two progressing to the tournament proper.
The quarter finalists from the last World Cup – Australia, New Zealand, England, Samoa, Tonga, PNG, Fiji and Lebanon – are already through, but with the tournament streamlined from 16 to ten, that leaves eight to dispute the final two places.
In practice, it means only one of 2022 qualifiers France, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Italy and Greece can make the World Cup, as they all fall under the European confederation.
France have played at every Rugby League World Cup going back to the first, which they hosted in 1954, and were slated to host in 2025 before financial issues caused the tournament to be delayed by a year and moved to the Southern Hemisphere.
Wales have also competed at every tournament for which they were eligible – previously they have been included as part of Great Britain – and Ireland and Scotland have also played every tournament since 2000.
The Cook Islands, as the sole non-qualified nation from Asia-Pacific, will automatically advance to the World Series, along with qualifers from the Americas region and Middle East/Africa.
On top of the World Series announcement, it was revealed that eligibility will be limited to full members only for the Men’s World Cup and and full and affiliate members for the Women’s and Wheelchair World Cups.
In practice, that means that several of last year’s qualifiers need to improve their standing with the IRL by March 31, 2024 to have a chance at making the tournament.
Canada, Brazil, Chile and the United States are all affiliate members, meaning Jamaica – the only full member in the Americas confederation – would be able to make the World Series as it currently stands.
Currently, only Lebanon, who have already qualified, and South Africa have full member status from Middle East/Africa, ensuring that South Africa will advance to the World Series should no other nations gain full membership.
Greece are the only European nation from 2022 not to be full members and thus currently exempt from World Cup qualification.
The Wheelchair World Cup schedule has also been finalised, with the next to accompany the Men’s and Women’s in 2026 before splitting to find its own place on the international calendar, with a quadrennial tournament cycle beginning in 2029.
The IRL expressed a desire to allow all three World Cups to have equal standing within the organisation, which was best achieved by hosting in different years. It had already been announced that the Women’s World Cup will have a similar trajectory, being hosted as a standalone from 2028.
Tenders to host the post-2026 tournaments are to open next week, with the 2028 Women’s, 2029 Wheelchair and 2030 Men’s set to welcome bids.
“Now that we have a clear view of the International Calendar until 2030, it is important to start the ITT (invitation to tenderr) process so that the IRL has plenty of time to secure long term hosts and sponsorships for the game’s pinnacle event,” said IRL Chair Troy Grant.
“The qualification path is also becoming clearer for RLWC2026, and the development of the Regional Championships and World Series will be broadened, and better understood, after consultation with all of our member nations in the confederations.
“The Regional Qualifiers and World Series construct is key for the longer term, so that we have genuine engaged pathways for all nations to realise their ambitions.”
Paulie
Roar Rookie
No the south Pacific Kangaroos...
Renegade
Roar Guru
So were all the Ireland tries this morning scored by Kiwis? I’d listen if you weren’t just as ignorant about the RL World Cup… as I said, argument works both ways and you’re proving my point
Redcap
Roar Guru
Hmm. Sounds like all of the above. Never forget, we're all here for you, whenever you're ready. :happy:
Nat
Roar Guru
So you haunt around every league forum, twitter feed and podcast? This is your life? Still borrowing money from daddy as well?
scrum
Roar Rookie
Shows your ignorance of the game.
Maddi Davis
Roar Rookie
Na I just love you blokes David. The reactions I get especially from Brett. He hates proper International sports and attacks them but as soon as the 2 state suburban sport gets attacked he fires up. I love the passion
Redcap
Roar Guru
You know why - the national government withdrew funding. Unfortunate, but it's done now. Now, Eric my dear, I think it's high time you told us what happened to you. Don't worry, this is a safe place, and your Uncle Red is always here for you. So, what was it? A big front rower accidentally sat on your pet turtle? A leaguie stole the girl or guy you had a crush on? Hit in the head by a Steeden? All of the above?
Maddi Davis
Roar Rookie
You don't like proper International sports do you Brett?
Maddi Davis
Roar Rookie
Especially for the RL "World" Cup Brett. Why not just call it a Heritage Cup and then it wouldn't cop as much flack as it does. Remember the RL "World" Cup has existed nearly 70 years yet still over 85% of players involved come from the heartlands of 3 countries
Maddi Davis
Roar Rookie
Like Who Brett?? Keep trying to defend the "World" Cup Brett. Nobody is buying it
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
Not to the players from the 16 teams who played in it last year, and not all of them came from the NRL or ESL. Tell the blokes who play in local leagues in Lebanon, Greece, Italy, PNG, France, Jamaica who got to play in a WC for their country, or the guys running around in leagues in nearly 50 other countries who missed qualification. Tell them it was a joke. Yes they all had NRL & ESL players, but they also, by design, had local players in their squads as well. Some of those guys had never earned a cent playing the game before the WC but now have professional contracts in England.
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
There’s no street cred in using the term “street cred”
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
Me and my five buddies love to take the puss out of you rugby & soccer types
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
Lol, very true
Maddi Davis
Roar Rookie
Why not Brett?? Hahaha cmon tell us all. Is it because there is no tourism dollars in it because nobody overseas travels for it? It wouldn't be a too good of an investment would it?
Maddi Davis
Roar Rookie
And Tony if the North East Australian Kangaroos ever lost a game it's celebrated by the "international" Rugby League crew the same people attacking the Wallabies for losing. You blokes are a strange bunch you elderly men from Qld and parts of NSW
Maddi Davis
Roar Rookie
So Ladies and Gentlemen.. who am i kidding, Gentlemen why'd the French scrap the League "World" Cup?
Maddi Davis
Roar Rookie
Not alot of money but "international" Rugby League makes no money because there is Zero appeal. Nobody with half a brain will invest in it
Paulie
Roar Rookie
Renegade your just showing your narrow minded ignorance your comments are of a person who doesn't have a clue about the other tournament that is generating hundreds of millions of dollars being the Rugby World Cup in France a host nation that pulled out of hosting The RL World Cup. Portugal,Urguary,Georgia,Argentina are all home grown players playing in a professional or semi professional competition no kiwis...maybe do your homework before making ignorant statements you know nothing about...
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
No, I think they already have.