Rugby League World Cup: Southern Hemisphere To Host In 2026 After France Withdrawal2 min read
England hosted the Rugby League World Cup in 2022, with Australia being crowned the men’s and women’s champions and the hosts claiming the wheelchair title
The southern hemisphere will host the Rugby League World Cup in 2026 after France withdrew for financial reasons.
France was awarded the tournament in January 2022 after initial plans for it to be held in North America for the first time were scrapped.
But organisers were unable to meet financial criteria set out by the French government, and in May it was announced they had pulled out.
The event will feature 10 men’s, eight women’s and eight wheelchair teams.
The eight men’s quarter finalists from the previous World Cup – held in England in 2022 – will automatically qualify for the 2026 tournament, as will the four women’s and wheelchair semi-finalists.
The men’s tournament has been reduced from 16 teams to ensure an “elite” tournament, the International Rugby League (IRL) said.
The competition was originally due to be held in 2025 but was moved to 2026 as part of a revised calendar, with the following edition to be held in 2030.
Women’s World Cups are to be staged as stand-alone tournaments from 2028 to recognise the game’s “phenomenal rate” of growth, while a decision will be taken on when best to schedule Wheelchair World Cup after 2026.
“The IRL board has made these decisions to create more compelling content and secure the financial future of the international game,” IRL Chair Troy Grant said.
“The cancellation of France 2025 has given us an opportunity to refresh the structure of the World Cup and associated tournaments as part of a long-term international calendar that all in the game have been desperately seeking.”
The tournament had been due to be staged in France during October and November 2025.
New Zealand made an early bid to take on the tournament following France’s withdrawal, although enquiries were also made by both Qatar and South Africa.
England held the previous event in 2022, which was delayed one year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Australia were crowned men’s and women’s champions, with the hosts claiming the wheelchair title.
