Rugby League World Cup 2026 Power Rankings: Every Squad Ranked From Least to Most Likely to Win

The 2026 Rugby League World Cup is almost here, with 10 nations preparing to battle it out across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

The tournament kicks off on October 15 when defending champions Australia take on New Zealand in a blockbuster at Allianz Stadium, with the final to be played at Suncorp Stadium on November 15.

With every men's squad now confirmed, here is my power ranking of all 10 nations from least likely to most likely to lift the World Cup.

10. Cook Islands

The Cook Islands have plenty of experience throughout their squad, but they face an enormous challenge against Australia, New Zealand and Fiji in Group A.

Valentine Holmes and KL Iro are the obvious headline names, while Esan Marsters, Brad Takairangi, Marata Niukore and Davvy Moale give the squad plenty of experience.

However, the lack of depth compared with the tournament favourites makes the Cook Islands the biggest outsider in the competition.

Squad:

Cameron Brown

Rhys Dakin

Glassie Glassie

Valentine Holmes

Esom Ioka

KL Iro

Chaev Kolone

Makahesi Makatoa

Esan Marsters

Amare Milford

Davvy Moale

K-Ci Newton-Whare

Rua Ngatikaura

Marata Niukore

Pride Petterson-Robati

Reuben Porter

Reubenn Rennie

Brad Takairangi

Mason Teague

David Tuariki

Paul Ulberg

Delahia Wigmore

Maui Winitana-Patelesio

9. France

France have made genuine progress in recent years, but winning four matches against the world's best would be a huge ask.

The majority of the squad comes from the Catalans Dragons and Toulouse Olympique, with Arthur Mourgue, Arthur Romano, Jordan Dezaria, Benjamin Garcia and Théo Fages among the most recognisable names.

They should be competitive, but their lack of elite NRL talent puts a ceiling on their chances.

Squad:

Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet

Léo Darrélatour

Julian Bousquet

Romain Navarrete

Benjamin Garcia

Alrix Da Costa

Benjamin Laguerre

César Rougé

Thomas Lacans

Lambert Belmas

Tiaki Chan

Louis Grossemy

Mathieu Jussaume

Roméo Tropis

Amir Bourouh

Arthur Romano

Arthur Mourgue

Jordan Dezaria

Mathieu Cozza

Joe Drodrolagi

Théo Fages

Fouad Yaha

Latrell Siegwalt

8. Lebanon

Lebanon have several exciting young players and a strong group of NRL representatives.

Jacob Kiraz, Jason Saab, Abbas Miski, Alex Twal, Khaled Rajab and Michael Gabrael give the Cedars plenty of talent, while their backline could cause problems for some opponents.

However, they are still some distance behind the genuine title contenders. With no Mitchell Moses or Adam Douehi in their side, the key spine players aren't good enough to make them a contender.

Squad:

Abbas Miski

Alex Conti

Alex Twal

Brandon Morkos

Charbel Tasipale

Ibrahim El Labban

Jacob Kiraz

Jalal Bazzaz

James Roumanos

Jason Saab

Jaxson Rahme

Jordan Samrani

Joseph Nohra

Khaled Rajab

Khalil Rahme

Michael Gabrael

Mikael Ibrahim

Mohamed Alameddine

Moustafa Dirani

Tanous Sukkar

Tony Francis

Tupou Francis

Yehya Ayache

7. Papua New Guinea

PNG could be one of the most dangerous teams outside the traditional heavyweights, particularly with home support behind them.

Jack de Belin gives the Kumuls a genuine representative-class forward, while Rhyse Martin, Nene MacDonald, Edwin Ipape, Zac Laybutt and Liam Horne bring plenty of experience.

Their home match against Lebanon in Port Moresby should be one of the great atmospheres of the tournament.

The biggest question is whether PNG have enough depth to beat the very best teams, and I do not think they do. Decent options particularly in positions 1-5, but through the middle they should get found out defensively.

Squad:

Bailey Biondi-Odo

Jack de Belin

Robert Derby

Dudley Dotoi

Josh Feledy

Finley Glare

Liam Horne

Edwin Ipape

Zev John

Epel Kapinias

Zac Laybutt

Nene MacDonald

Rhyse Martin

Robert Mathias

Morea Morea

Luca Moretti

Sylvester Namo

Nixon Putt

Valentine Richard

Rodrick Tai

Gairo Voro

Sanny Wabo

Khaiya Waiembi

6. Fiji

Fiji have the talent to cause a major upset, but their World Cup draw makes life extremely difficult.

Apisai Koroisau is arguably the most important player in the squad, while Sunia Turuva, Waqa Blake, Semi Valemei, Taane Milne, Jacob Saifiti and Caleb Navale provide plenty of NRL experience.

Their problem is that they have to get through a group containing Australia and New Zealand.

If Fiji can produce their best football, they are capable of beating almost anyone outside the two favourites. Maybe it's ambitious putting them at 6 because of the teams they need to face, but Fiji has a decent side but should have no chance of winning the competition.

Squad:

Bayleigh Bentley-Hape

Waqa Blake

Kurt Donoghoe

Apenisa Driti

Kitione Kautoga

Elijah Keung

Apisai Koroisau

Josese Lanyon

Jordan Leiu

Joseph Litidamu

Kylan Mafoa

Taane Milne

Caleb Navale

Jimmy Ngutlik

Ronaldo Philitoga

Mitchell Prest

Emosi Ravosai

Jacob Saifiti

Solomone Saukuru

Sunia Turuva

Semi Valemei

Brandon Wakeham

Jordan Miller

5. England

England are the hardest team to rank.

On paper, they have a squad capable of reaching the final. Herbie Farnworth, Dom Young, Jack Welsby, George Williams, Kai Pearce-Paul, Victor Radley, Max King and Morgan Smithies give them serious quality.

The big question is whether England can finally translate their talent into a World Cup triumph.

Their opening clash with Tonga is enormous. A win there would immediately make England look like genuine contenders, while a defeat could make their path to the final considerably harder.

Squad:

Matty Ashton

AJ Brimson

Ben Currie

Zach Eckersley

Herbie Farnworth

Ethan Havard

Max King

Morgan Knowles

Mikey Lewis

Jez Litten

Junior Nsemba

Brad O'Neill

Kai Pearce-Paul

Victor Radley

Hugo Savala

Harry Smith

Morgan Smithies

Luke Thompson

Sam Walters

Ben Talty

Jack Welsby

George Williams

Dom Young

4. Tonga

Tonga are arguably the most physically intimidating team at the World Cup.

Addin Fonua-Blake, Haumole Olakau'atu, Stefano Utoikamanu, Taniela Paseka, Tyson Frizell and Jason Taumalolo give Kristian Woolf an enormous forward pack.

Then there is Isaiya Katoa controlling the team from halfback, with Robert Toia, Tolutau Koula, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Paul Alamoti and Jojo Fifita providing serious strike out wide.

Tonga have already shown they can challenge Australia and New Zealand, and this may be their best opportunity yet to reach a World Cup final.

This side looks more than capable of winning at least on paper, with fantastic depth. This World Cup is Tonga's best ever opportunity to win.

Squad:

Addin Fonua-Blake

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

Demetric Vaimauga

Haumole Olakau'atu

Isaiya Katoa

Jason Taumalolo

Jojo Fifita

Talatau Amone

Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

Latu Fainu

Lehi Hopoate

Moeaki Fotuaika

Paul Alamoti

Robert Toia

Salesi Foketi

Sione Katoa

Siua Wong

Soni Luke

Stefano Utoikamanu

Taniela Paseka

Tolutau Koula

Tuimoala Lolohea

Tyson Frizell

3. Samoa

Samoa were runners-up at the last World Cup and have another squad capable of going all the way.

Stephen Crichton and Jarome Luai remain the leaders, while Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow gives them one of the most dangerous attacking players in international rugby league.

Spencer Leniu, Junior Paulo, Francis Molo, Izack Tago, Brian To'o, Sua Fa'alogo and Greg Marzhew give Samoa an incredible amount of NRL quality.

Their biggest question is consistency. If Samoa play at their best, they can absolutely win the World Cup. They have experience, quality, and depth; they will feel they can go one further this time around.

Squad:

Shawn Blore

Stephen Crichton

Sua Fa’alogo

Clayton Faulalo

Chanel Harris-Tavita

Benaiah Ioelu

Connelly Lemuelu

Spencer Leniu

Jarome Luai

Francis Manuleleua

Deine Mariner

Ata Mariota

Greg Marzhew

Jermaine McEwen

Francis Molo

Junior Paulo

Pasami Saulo

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

Izack Tago

Jazz Tevaga

Brian To’o

Enari Tuala

Ronald Volkman

2. New Zealand

New Zealand might have the strongest challenge to Australia's crown.

Jahrome Hughes, Kalyn Ponga, Joseph Tapine, James Fisher-Harris, Briton Nikora, Isaiah Papali'i, Moses Leota and Leo Thompson form the backbone of a brilliant squad.

The addition of Dane Gagai gives the Kiwis another experienced outside back, while Ronaldo Mulitalo, Jamayne Isaako, Casey McLean and Keano Kini provide plenty of speed.

The Kiwis get the chance to make an immediate statement when they face Australia in the opening match. Without key players like Nathan Cleary, New Zealand will also fancy their chances of adding another World Cup title.

Squad:

Erin Clark

James Fisher-Harris

Dane Gagai

Jahrome Hughes

Jamayne Isaako

Keano Kini

Jacob Laban

Moses Leota

Jeremy Marshall-King

Te Maire Martin

Casey McLean

Ronaldo Mulitalo

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

Briton Nikora

Kodi Nikorima

Isaiah Papali'i

Kalyn Ponga

Scott Sorensen

Tanner Stowers-Smith

Joseph Tapine

Leo Thompson

Naufahu Whyte

Xavier Willison

1. Australia

Australia remain the team everyone has to beat. The Kangaroos have an absurd amount of talent across almost every position.

James Tedesco, Latrell Mitchell, Tom Trbojevic, Reece Walsh, Cameron Munster, Harry Grant, Isaah Yeo, Cameron Murray, Patrick Carrigan, David Fifita and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui headline a squad that is packed with representative experience.

There are also six potential debutants, including Sam Walker, Bradman Best, Jack Bostock, David Fifita and Jacob Preston.

Australia also have the advantage of knowing exactly what it takes to win this tournament, having won the previous World Cup in 2022.

The Kangaroos won't have it easy, particularly with New Zealand and Fiji in their group, but they deserve to start as the favourites.

Squad:

Bradman Best

Jack Bostock

Blayke Brailey

Patrick Carrigan

Reuben Cotter

Tom Dearden

Tino Fa'asuamaleaui

David Fifita

Harry Grant

Keaon Koloamatangi

Liam Martin

Latrell Mitchell

Mitchell Moses

Cameron Munster

Cameron Murray

Jacob Preston

Lindsay Smith

Kotoni Staggs

James Tedesco

Tom Trbojevic

Sam Walker

Reece Walsh

Isaah Yeo

Australia are the favourites, but the gap between the top four could be much smaller than previous World Cups with more talent being spread out across all nations.

New Zealand have the squad to knock Australia off their perch, while Samoa and Tonga have enough firepower to beat either heavyweight on their day.

England are the wildcard. If their halves and spine click, they could be the team that breaks up the Pacific dominance.

The 2026 World Cup kicks off on October 15, with Australia taking on New Zealand in Sydney. The final will be played at Suncorp Stadium on November 15.