The next Rugby League World Cup 2025 has been cancelled and rescheduled for 2026
A key feature on the representative Rugby League schedule, the Rugby League World Cup is an international footy tournament contested by 16 Rugby League teams from around the globe.
The 2025 Rugby League World Cup has been rescheduled to 2026 and will be hosted in the southern hemisphere. This tournament will feature 10 men’s teams, 8 women’s teams, and 8 wheelchair teams.
The 2025 Rugby League World Cup faced a tumultuous journey before its ultimate cancellation. Initially slated to be hosted by the USA and Canada, the ambitious project was derailed by significant financial concerns. This unforeseen setback led to the withdrawal of the North American bid, leaving the tournament without a host nation.
France subsequently emerged as the chosen host, injecting renewed optimism into the global rugby league community. However, in a surprising turn of events, the French government withdrew its support for the tournament in May 2023, citing financial constraints. This abrupt decision left the future of the 2025 World Cup in serious doubt.
Ultimately, the International Rugby League (IRL) made the difficult decision to cancel the 2025 tournament entirely. This significant setback for the sport prompted a reevaluation of the competition’s format. In its place, a new, reduced-size tournament was announced, scheduled to take place in the southern hemisphere in 2026.
This tumultuous period highlighted the complexities of hosting major international sporting events and underscored the importance of robust financial planning and government support. While the cancellation of the 2025 World Cup was undoubtedly a disappointment, the revised plans for 2026 offer a renewed opportunity for the sport to showcase its global appeal and continue its growth trajectory.
The qualification process for the tournament is already underway, with teams from various regions competing for a spot.
The excitement is building as fans eagerly await the new dates and venues to be announced later this year.
2026 Rugby League World Cup
- Rugby World Cup Edition: 17th
- Host Nation: TBD
- Dates: TBD
- Number of Teams: 10 (Men’s)
Rugby League World Cup Draw
TBD
Rugby League World Cup Qualified Teams
Including the 2021 Rugby League World Cup (postponed and played in 2022) there have been 16 tournaments since 1954 and Australia have dominated the results with 12 title wins, most recently in 2013, 2017 and 2021 (played in 2022).
The only other winning nations to win the Rugby League World Cup competition are Great Britain (3) and New Zealand (1).
Betting on the Rugby League World Cup is a popular spring – summer option for footy fans missing the regular NRL season action that finishes up with the NRL Grand Final in early October.
The previous Rugby League World Tournaments took place in the years 1954, 1957, 1960, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1975, 1977, 1985-1988, 1995, 2000, 2008, 2013, 2017 and 2022 (which was officially the rescheduled 2021 Rugby League World Cup).
The upcoming Rugby League World Cup dates are set for 2026.
The only teams to have played in all Rugby League World Cups to date are Australia, France and New Zealand.
In 1995 the Rugby League World Cup format was expanded and follows a similar system to other World Cup sporting competitions including the Football World Cup and Rugby Union World Cup.
Rugby League World Cup Finals
The final Rugby League World Cup tournament system has been in place since 2013 with the 14 teams divided into four groups. The Rugby League World Cup Final Tournament follows the qualifying stage of the competition, with the hose team the only one assured of a spot in the finals.
The first stage of the finals is the group stage and from that a total of eight teams make it through to the knockout Rugby League World Cup knockout quarter finals.
The four quarter-final winners face off in the Rugby League World Cup semi-finals to earn a spot in the World Cup Final.
Rugby League World Cup Host Nations
| Year | Host/s |
|---|---|
| 1954 | France |
| 1957 | Australia |
| 1960 | United Kingdom |
| 1968 | Australia / New Zealand |
| 1970 | United Kingdom |
| 1972 | France |
| 1975 | International |
| 1977 | Australia / New Zealand |
| 1985-88 | International |
| 1989-92 | International |
| 1995 | Untied Kingdom |
| 2000 | United Kingdom / Ireland / France |
| 2008 | Australia |
| 2013 | United Kingdom / Ireland / France |
| 2017 | Australia / New Zealand / PNG |
| 2021 (Postponed to 2022) | England |
| 2025 (Postponed to 2026) | TBD |
Past Rugby League World Cup Winners
| Year | Winner | Score | Runner-Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | Great Britain | 16-12 | France |
| 1957 | Australia | Table Leader | Great Britain |
| 1960 | Great Britain | Table Leader | Australia |
| 1968 | Australia | 20-2 | France |
| 1970 | Australia | 12-7 | Great Britain |
| 1972 | Great Britain | 10-10 | Australia |
| 1975 | Australia | 25-0 | England |
| 1977 | Australia | 13-12 | Great Britain |
| 1985-88 | Australia | 25-12 | New Zealand |
| 1989-92 | Australia | 10-6 | Great Britain |
| 1995 | Australia | 16-8 | England |
| 2000 | Australia | 40-12 | New Zealand |
| 2008 | New Zealand | 34-20 | Australia |
| 2013 | Australia | 34-2 | New Zealand |
| 2017 | Australia | 6-0 | England |
| 2021 (Postponed to 2022) | Australia | 30-10 | Samoa |
| 2025 | TBD | TBD | TBD |
This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team.