Australia Rugby League World Cup Squad 2026 Unveiled

Photo: Getty Images

Australia's 2026 Rugby League World Cup squad features 23 players, with Isaah Yeo named captain and six players selected for their potential Kangaroos debuts.

Full Australia Squad

* Bradman Best (Newcastle Knights) — potential debutant

* Jack Bostock (Dolphins) — potential debutant

* Blayke Brailey (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks) — potential debutant

* Patrick Carrigan (Brisbane Broncos)

* Lindsay Collins (Sydney Roosters)

* Reuben Cotter (North Queensland Cowboys)

* Tom Dearden (North Queensland Cowboys)

* Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (Gold Coast Titans)

* David Fifita (South Sydney Rabbitohs) — potential debutant

* Harry Grant (Melbourne Storm)

* Keaon Koloamatangi (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

* Liam Martin (Penrith Panthers)

* Latrell Mitchell (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

* Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels)

* Cameron Munster (Melbourne Storm)

* Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

* Jacob Preston (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs) — potential debutant

* Kotoni Staggs (Brisbane Broncos)

* James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters)

* Tom Trbojevic (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)

* Sam Walker (Sydney Roosters) — potential debutant

* Reece Walsh (Brisbane Broncos)

* Isaah Yeo (Penrith Panthers) — captain

Australia has also named three shadow players who could be called upon if injuries or other circumstances affect the squad:

* Thomas Jenkins (Penrith Panthers)

* Hamish Stewart (St George Illawarra Dragons)

* Ethan Strange (Canberra Raiders)

Six potential Kangaroos debutants

Sam Walker

The Sydney Roosters halfback is perhaps the most talked-about of the six newcomers.

Walker has just won his first NRL premiership, defeating Newcastle 19-18 in Sunday's Grand Final.

He now has the opportunity to make his Test debut on the biggest international stage.

Walker will face competition for a halves position from Cameron Munster, Mitchell Moses and Tom Dearden.

Bradman Best

The Newcastle Knights centre is another player coming directly from Sunday's Grand Final.

Best has been rewarded for his form during Newcastle's remarkable run from the bottom of the NRL ladder to the Grand Final.

He becomes one of the newest members of the Kangaroos squad despite Newcastle ultimately falling one point short of the premiership.

Jack Bostock

The Dolphins winger/centre has been selected after an impressive season and could be one of the players who gets an immediate opportunity.

Australia's lack of established wing options means Bostock could potentially make his debut as early as the opening game against New Zealand.

Blayke Brailey

The Cronulla hooker provides another option alongside Melbourne's Harry Grant.

Brailey has been rewarded with his first Kangaroos selection after establishing himself as one of the NRL's leading dummy-halves.

David Fifita

Fifita's selection has been a long time coming.

The powerful forward will finally have the opportunity to pull on the green and gold after years of starring at NRL and State of Origin level.

His late-season form for South Sydney helped push him into the squad.

Jacob Preston

The Canterbury forward rounds out the six potential debutants.

Preston's versatility and work rate give Walters another option in the middle and back row.

The biggest Kangaroos omissions

One of the most interesting aspects of the squad is not just who was picked, but who wasn't.

Daly Cherry-Evans

The most obvious omission is Daly Cherry-Evans. The veteran halfback had arguably the most extraordinary possible argument for selection.

Just one night before the squad was announced, Cherry-Evans kicked the field goal that helped Sydney Roosters beat Newcastle 19-18 in the NRL Grand Final.

The 37-year-old also won his second NRL premiership after 15 years between titles.

However, Walters opted for a younger group of halves in Munster, Moses, Dearden and Walker.

It means Cherry-Evans' final NRL appearance will also be his final match in the competition, with his Kangaroos career not receiving one last World Cup campaign.

Tom Jenkins

Jenkins was one of the most surprising omissions.

The Penrith winger was named Dally M Winger of the Year, yet has not made the 23-man squad.

There is at least a pathway back into the team, however, with Jenkins named as one of Australia's three shadow players.

Selwyn Cobbo

Cobbo is another major omission.

The Brisbane winger was also named Dally M Winger of the Year alongside Jenkins but has not been selected. His situation is complicated by injury.

With both Dally M wingers missing from the squad, Australia will enter the tournament with some less familiar options on the edges.

Max Plath

Dolphins forward Max Plath can also consider himself unlucky.

He enjoyed a strong season and established himself as an important Queensland player, but Reuben Cotter was preferred in the Australian squad.

Tallis Duncan

Another versatile forward who can consider himself unlucky. Duncan enjoyed an excellent season for South Sydney and was capable of covering multiple positions.

With Australia's forward pack already packed with established stars, however, there was no room for Duncan in the final 23.

Lindsay Smith

Smith already has Kangaroos experience after making his Test debut in 2024 and playing in the 2025 Ashes series.

Despite another strong season, he was unable to break into an extremely competitive Australian forward pack.

Kalyn Ponga and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

Australia's selection options have also been affected by eligibility and representative choices.

Queensland stars including Kalyn Ponga and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will not represent Australia at the World Cup.

Robert Toia has also chosen Tonga, while other players have committed to different nations.

Several other high-profile forwards will also miss the tournament.

Payne Haas and Hudson Young are unavailable through injury, while Haumole Olakau'atu and Addin Fonua-Blake will represent Tonga and Victor Radley will represent England.

That has contributed to a Kangaroos squad that looks different from the Australian teams of previous World Cups.

Isaah Yeo named captain despite injury

One of the biggest selection stories is the decision to name Isaah Yeo as Australia's captain.

Yeo is carrying a ruptured pectoral muscle and will delay surgery so he can participate in the World Cup.

The Panthers forward will therefore lead Australia into the tournament before dealing with the injury afterwards.

It is another indication of how highly Walters and the Australian selectors value Yeo's leadership and versatility.

James Tedesco returns

The 2026 World Cup will also mark the return of James Tedesco to the Kangaroos.

Tedesco was not part of Australia's most recent Test campaigns but has forced his way back into contention after an outstanding season.

His return comes immediately after one of the biggest performances of his career.

Tedesco won the Clive Churchill Medal after captaining the Roosters to a 19-18 Grand Final victory over Newcastle. He will now compete with Reece Walsh for the Australian No.1 jersey.

Latrell Mitchell returns to Australia

Another major comeback is Latrell Mitchell.

The South Sydney star returns to the international squad after missing recent representative football because of injury.

Mitchell brings enormous strike power to Australia's outside backs and gives Walters another option in the centres.

His selection also adds another fascinating selection battle, with the coach having to decide how to fit Mitchell, Tedesco, Trbojevic, Best, Staggs, Walsh and Bostock into a 17-man side.

Tom Trbojevic's return

Tom Trbojevic has also been recalled.

The Manly star has not played Test football for two years and is expected to be considered as a wing option despite spending much of his recent club career at centre.

His previous Kangaroos appearances have predominantly come at fullback or centre, making his potential move to the wing one of the more interesting selection decisions for Walters.

Australia's potential World Cup starting side

1. James Tedesco

2. Jack Bostock

3. Bradman Best

4. Latrell Mitchell

5. Tom Trbojevic

6. Cameron Munster

7. Sam Walker

8. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui

9. Harry Grant

10. Isaah Yeo

11. Liam Martin

12. Jacob Preston

13. Cameron Murray

14. Blayke Brailey

15. Keon Koloamatangi

16. Patrick Carrigan

17. David Fifita

18. Mitchell Moses

19. Kotoni Staggs

Australia Rugby League World Cup fixtures 2026

Australia is in Pool A alongside New Zealand, Fiji and the Cook Islands.

Australia vs New Zealand - Thursday, October 15 at Allianz Stadium

Australia vs Fiji - Sunday, October 25 at Suncorp Stadium

Australia vs Cook Islands - Saturday, October 31 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Australia's World Cup campaign at a glance

Head coach: Kevin Walters

Captain: Isaah Yeo

Potential debutants: 6

Pool: A

Opening game: Australia vs New Zealand, October 15, 2026

Final: November 15, 2026

The big selection questions

With the squad now confirmed, Kevin Walters faces several major decisions before Australia's first game.

Who starts at fullback?

James Tedesco returns after winning the Clive Churchill Medal, but Reece Walsh remains one of the most dangerous attacking fullbacks in the world. Tom Trbojevic adds another option for Walters at fullback.

Who partners Cameron Munster?

Walters has four major halves options in Munster, Mitchell Moses, Tom Dearden and Sam Walker to cover the halves.

Who plays on the wings?

This could be Australia's biggest headache. The absence of both Dally M wingers of the year leaves Walters with a much less established group of options.

Where does Tom Trbojevic play?

Trbojevic's experience could be invaluable, but the big question is whether he starts on the wing or centre, or is used as a backup option to cover positions 1-5 off the bench.

How does Isaah Yeo manage his injury?

The captain is delaying surgery to play in the World Cup, making his availability and workload an important storyline throughout the tournament.