Rugby League World Cup 2026 Round 1 Team Lists

The wait is over, with all 10 nations naming their teams for the opening round of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.

The tournament begins on Thursday night when defending champions Australia face New Zealand in Sydney, before Samoa meet France on Friday.

Saturday features a double-header, with Papua New Guinea hosting Lebanon before England and Tonga clash in Perth. Fiji and the Cook Islands round out the opening round on Sunday.

Several major selection decisions have been made, including Mitchell Moses winning Australia's halfback role, Kalyn Ponga starting at fullback for New Zealand and AJ Brimson being selected ahead of Jack Welsby in England's No.1 jersey.

Here are all the confirmed Week 1 team lists.

Thursday, October 15 — Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Australia

1. Reece Walsh

2. Jack Bostock

3. Latrell Mitchell

4. Kotoni Staggs

5. Tom Trbojevic

6. Cameron Munster

7. Mitchell Moses

8. Patrick Carrigan

9. Harry Grant

10. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui

11. Jacob Preston

12. Liam Martin

13. Isaah Yeo (c)

Interchange

14. Tom Dearden

15. Cameron Murray

16. Reuben Cotter

17. Keaon Koloamatangi

18. David Fifita

19. Bradman Best

Reserves: Blayke Brailey, James Tedesco, Sam Walker.

New Zealand Kiwis

1. Kalyn Ponga

2. Jamayne Isaako

3. Dane Gagai

4. Casey McLean

5. Ronaldo Mulitalo

6. Kodi Nikorima

7. Jahrome Hughes

8. James Fisher-Harris (c)

9. Jeremy Marshall-King

10. Moses Leota

11. Isaiah Papali'i

12. Briton Nikora

13. Joseph Tapine

Interchange

14. Te Maire Martin

15. Naufahu Whyte

16. Erin Clark

17. Xavier Willison

18. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

19. Keano Kini

Reserves: Scott Sorensen, Leo Thompson, Jacob Laban.

Selection talking point: Moses gets first crack at Australia's No.7 jersey alongside Munster, while Ponga starts at fullback for the Kiwis. Gagai has switched international allegiance to New Zealand and will line up in the centres.

Friday, October 16 — CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Samoa

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

2. Brian To'o

3. Izack Tago

4. Stephen Crichton

5. Deine Mariner

6. Chanel Harris-Tavita

7. Jarome Luai (c)

8. Francis Molo

9. Benaiah Ioelu

10. Junior Paulo

11. Connelly Lemuelu

12. Jermaine McEwen

13. Francis Manuleleua

Interchange

14. Jazz Tevaga

15. Spencer Leniu

16. Shawn Blore

17. Sua Fa'alogo

18. Ata Mariota

19. Clayton Faulalo

Reserves: Ronald Volkman, Pasami Saulo, Enari Tuala.

France

1. Arthur Mourgue

2. Benjamin Laguerre

3. Latrell Siegwalt

4. Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet

5. Léo Darrélatour

6. César Rougé

7. Théo Fages

8. Romain Navarrete

9. Benjamin Garcia (c)

10. Lambert Belmas

11. Arthur Romano

12. Mathieu Jussaume

13. Julian Bousquet

Interchange

14. Amir Bourouh

15. Tiaki Chan

16. Jordan Dezaria

17. Mathieu Cozza

18. Thomas Lacans

19. Louis Grossemy

Reserves: Jowasa Drodrolagi, Roméo Tropis, Fouad Yaha.

Selection talking point: Samoa have named a powerful backline featuring Tabuai-Fidow, To'o and Crichton, with Luai captaining the side. Rabbitohs outside back Siegwalt is named in France's starting centres, giving him an opportunity to make an impact on the international stage.

Saturday, October 17 — Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby

Papua New Guinea Kumuls

1. Morea Morea

2. Robert Derby

3. Zac Laybutt

4. Nene Macdonald

5. Dudley Dotoi

6. Gairo Voro

7. Bailey Biondi-Odo

8. Valentine Richard

9. Edwin Ipape

10. Luca Moretti

11. Rhyse Martin (c)

12. Nixon Putt

13. Jack de Belin

Interchange

14. Finley Glare

15. Liam Horne

16. Epel Kapinias

17. Sylvester Namo

18. Rodrick Tai

19. Sanny Wabo

Reserves: Robert Mathias, Khaiya Waiembi, Zev John.

Lebanon Cedars

Starting XIII

1. Jacob Kiraz

2. Tony Francis

3. Michael Gabrael

4. Jordan Samrani

5. Jason Saab

6. Khaled Rajab

7. Alex Conti

8. Jaxson Rahme

9. Yehya Ayache

10. James Roumanos

11. Tony Sukkar

12. Charbel Tasipale

13. Alex Twal (c)

Interchange

14. Moustafa Dirani

15. Mikael Ibrahim

16. Jalal Bazzaz

17. Khalil Rahme

18. Joseph Nohra

19. Abbas Miski

Reserves: Tupou Francis, Mohamed Alameddine, Cameron Kanaan.

Selection talking point: The Kumuls will have home support behind them in Port Moresby, with Biondi-Odo and Ipape important to their attacking plans. Lebanon have named Kiraz and Saab in an exciting outside-back group, while Alex Twal captains the side.

Saturday, October 17 — HBF Park, Perth

England

1. AJ Brimson

2. Dominic Young

3. Hugo Savala

4. Herbie Farnworth

5. Zach Eckersley

6. George Williams (c)

7. Harry Smith

8. Max King

9. Brad O'Neill

10. Morgan Knowles

11. Junior Nsemba

12. Kai Pearce-Paul

13. Victor Radley

Interchange

14. Jez Litten

15. Luke Thompson

16. Ethan Havard

17. Sam Walters

18. Jack Welsby

19. Matty Ashton

Reserves: Ben Currie, Mikey Lewis, Ben Talty.

Tonga

1. Lehi Hopoate

2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

3. Tolutau Koula

4. Robert Toia

5. Jojo Fifita

6. Latu Fainu

7. Isaiya Katoa

8. Addin Fonua-Blake (c)

9. Soni Luke

10. Jason Taumalolo

11. Haumole Olakau'atu

12. Siua Wong

13. Tyson Frizell

Interchange

14. Salesi Foketi

15. Stefano Utoikamanu

16. Demitric Vaimauga

17. Leka Halasima

18. Tuimoala Lolohea

19. Paul Alamoti

Reserves: Taniela Paseka, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Sione Katoa.

Selection talking point* Brimson has been chosen at fullback ahead of Welsby, who will begin on the interchange. England captain Williams partners Smith in the halves. Tonga counter with a formidable forward pack led by co-captains Fonua-Blake and Taumalolo, with Katoa and Fainu combining in the halves.

Sunday, October 18 — McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Fiji Bati

1. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape

2. Sunia Turuva

3. Waqa Blake

4. Solomone Saukuru

5. Semi Valemei

6. Kurt Donoghoe

7. Brandon Wakeham

8. Jacob Saifiti

9. Apisai Koroisau (c)

10. Mitchell Prest

11. Taane Milne

12. Kitione Kautoga

13. Caleb Navale

Interchange

14. Josese Lanyon

15. Emosi Ravosai

16. Elijah Keung

17. Ronald Philitoga

18. Apenisa Driti

19. Jordan Leiu

Reserves: Joseph Litidamu, Zion Johnson, Kylan Mafoa.

Cook Islands

1. Esom Ioka

2. Paul Ulberg

3. KL Iro (c)

4. Reubenn Rennie

5. Cameron Brown

6. Maui Winitana-Patelesio

7. Esan Marsters

8. Davvy Moale

9. Mason Teague

10. Makahesi Makatoa

11. Delahia Wigmore

12. Reuben Porter

13. Pride Petterson-Robati

Interchange

14. Ruatapu Ngatikaura

15. K-Ci Newton-Whare

16. Rhys Dakin

17. Brad Takairangi

18. Glassie Glassie

19. Chaev Kolone

Reserves: Brody Tamarua, David Tuariki.

Selection talking point: Koroisau captains Fiji from hooker, with Wakeham and Donoghoe named in the halves. The Cook Islands will be led by centre Iro, while Marsters starts at halfback.

The opening round provides an immediate test of the tournament's leading contenders. Australia and New Zealand begin with a heavyweight clash, Samoa face a stern test against France, and Tonga's meeting with England could prove one of the most significant pool-stage games.

Papua New Guinea will hope home support can help them start strongly against Lebanon, while Fiji and the Cook Islands close the opening round with a Pacific Island showdown.

With the teams now named, attention turns to kick-off and the first results of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.