Australia will host the rescheduled World Cup in 2026. France was scheduled to host the event in 2025, but withdrew last year after failing to get assured support from the national and local governments.
Australia will host the men’s, women’s, and wheelchair World Cups in October and November 2026, with games also taking place in Papua New Guinea.
Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) chairman Peter V’landys said it will be the most “culturally diverse World Cup ever staged” and will help “cement rugby league as the number one sport in the Pacific”.
Last summer, New Zealand announced that it would host the tournament in 2025, but the International Rugby League (IRL) decided to wait until 2026 to provide the maximum chance of success.
IRL chairman Troy Grant said: “Rugby league has never been stronger in Australia and the Pacific, with sold-out stadiums, record television ratings and much excitement about Pacific expansion.
“The condensed format will mean every single match is competitive, while the possibility of some games being played as double- or triple-headers represents great value for fans wanting to see the best rugby league talent on the planet.”
England hosted the most recent World Cup in 2022, following a 12-month delay due to Covid-19.
( Source: BBC)
