The 2026 Rugby League World Cup has arrived and every moment will be live, free and exclusive on Seven and 7plus Sport.

The Kangaroos’ blockbuster clash with the Kiwis in Sydney kick it all off on Thursday, October 15 before matches are held across Australia, New Zealand and PNG.

Scroll down for all the details on how to watch, squads, schedule and more

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The Jillaroos open the women’s tournament against Samoa in Sydney on Friday, October 16.

The pool stages will run for three weekends through to the end of October and beginning of November, and will feature a blockbuster Tonga v Samoa clash in Sydney on Sunday, November 1.

The semi-finals then take place in Newcastle on Saturday, November 7 and Sydney on Sunday, November 8 before the champions will be crowned in Brisbane on Sunday, November 15.

Mel McLaughlin, Matt Shirvington and Matt White will host Seven’s coverage with 2013 Rugby League World Cup winner Corey Parker, while Andrew Voss leads a commentary team featuring Anthony Maroon, Andrew Moore, Drury Forbes, Beaven Dewar, Jono Farr and Kyle Amor.

Roosters NRL premiership coach Trent Robinson joins Seven as an expert alongside his former playmaker Luke Keary and Kiwis greats Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Shaun Johnson.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, Aaron Woods, Emma Verran, Yasmin Meakes, Lote Tuqiri, Brad Grove, Shane Flanagan, Brent Tate, Shontelle Stowers, James Graham and Brett Kimmorley round out the list.

Matt Shirvington, Mel McLaughlin, Corey Parker and Matt White will host Seven’s Rugby League World Cup coverage. Credit: Seven

How to watch the Rugby League World Cup

Every game of the Rugby League World Cup will be live, free and exclusive on Seven and 7plus Sport.

Pre-game coverage of the tournament opener between the Kangaroos and New Zealand begins from 7pm AEDT on Thursday, October 15.

The men’s action continues from 5pm on Friday, October 16 with Samoa v France (men’s) followed by the women’s opener between the Jillaroos and Samoa from 7.45pm.

Head here to watch the Rugby League World Cup live and free on 7plus Sport

Head here to check your local guides for broadcast times

Rugby League World Cup format

Ten teams will vie for the men’s trophy, with the Kangaroos gunning for a fourth straight crown.

Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji and New Zealand make up Pool A while England, France, Lebanon, PNG, Samoa and Tonga form a combined Pools B and C.

The top two teams from Pool A and the combined Pool B/C will progress to the semi-finals, with the winners facing the opposite runner-up.

In the women’s tournament, eight nations will slot into two four-team groups.

Australia, England, Samoa and Wales make up Group A while Fiji, France, New Zealand and PNG are in Group B.

The top two teams from the two groups will progress to the semi-finals, with winners facing the opposite runner-up.

Should the Kangaroos and Jillaroos finish on top, they will play their semi-finals on Sunday, November 8 in Sydney.

The Pool A/Group A runners-up will play their semi-finals on Saturday, November 7 in Newcastle.

Rugby League World Cup schedule

*Broadcast start, all times AEDT

*Women’s matches in italics

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15

Kangaroos v New Zealand, 7pm

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16

Samoa v France, 5pm

Jillaroos v Samoa, 7.45pm

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17

PNG v France, 1pm

PNG v Lebanon, 3pm

England v Wales, 5.15pm

England v Tonga, 7.30pm

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18

New Zealand v Fiji, 1pm

Fiji v Cook Islands, 3.30pm

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23

Samoa v Wales, 5pm

Tonga v Lebanon, 7.30pm

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24

Fiji v PNG, 1pm

PNG v Samoa, 3pm

England v France, 5.30pm

Jillaroos v England, 7.30pm

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25

New Zealand v France, 1.30pm

New Zealand v Cook Islands, 3.30pm

Kangaroos v Fiji, 7pm

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30

England v Samoa, 5.25pm

England v PNG, 7.30pm

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31

Fiji v France, 1pm

New Zealand v Fiji, 3.15pm

New Zealand v PNG, 5.30pm

Kangaroos v Cook Islands, 7.30pm

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1

Australia v Wales, 3pm

Lebanon v France, 5.30pm

Tonga v Samoa, 7.30pm

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7

Women’s semi-final, 5.15pm

Men’s semi-final, 7.30pm

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8

Women’s semi-final, 3pm

Men’s semi-final, 5pm

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15

Women’s final, 3.15pm

Men’s final, 6.30pm

Head here to watch the Rugby League World Cup live and free on 7plus Sport

Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup

The wheelchair tournament will feature eight teams and take place entirely in Wollongong.

England, Ireland, the United States and Wales make up Group A, while Australia, France, New Zealand and Scotland form Group B.

Group matches take place on October 30-31, November 3-4 and November 6.

The top two teams will progress to the semi-finals on November 10 before the final takes place on November 13.

There are also playoffs from November 9-13 to rank third through eighth.

Full list of Rugby League World Cup commentators

Hosts:

• Mel McLaughlin
• Matt Shirvington
• Corey Parker
• Matt White

Experts:

• Trent Robinson
• Luke Keary
• Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
• Emma Verran
• Ali Brigginshaw
• Ryan Papenhuyzen
• Aaron Woods
• Shaun Johnson
• Yasmin Meakes
• Lote Tuqiri
• Brad Grove
• Shane Flanagan
• Brent Tate
• Shontelle Stowers
• James Graham
• Brett Kimmorley

Channel 7’s Rugby League World Cup commentary team. Credit: Seven

Commentators:

• Andrew Voss
• Anthony Maroon
• Andrew Moore
• Drury Forbes
• Beaven Dewar
• Jono Farr
• Kyle Amor

Reporters:

• Emma Freedman
• Katie Brown
• Jelisa Apps
• Charlie White
• David Riccio
• Peter Badel
• Nathan Roye

Rugby League World Cup squads

AUSTRALIA

Men: 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 (captain)

Women: Tarryn Aiken, Kezie Apps, Shaylee Bent, Abbi ChurchJaime Chapman, Quincy Dodd, Millie Elliott, Olivia Higgins, Ellie Johnston, Keilee Joseph, Jocelyn Kelleher, Isabelle Kelly (captain), Olivia Kernick, Keeley Nizza, Sariah Paki, Tiana Penitani Gray, Julia Robinson, Jessica Sergis, Jesse Southwell, Simaima Taufa, Sarah Togatuki, Tamika Upton, Makenzie Weale

Wheelchair: Bayley McKenna (captain), Daniel Anstey, Peter Arbuckle, Cory Cannane, Diab Karim, Liam Luff, Toby Popple, Stephan Rochecouste, Zachary Schumacher, Adam Tannock

COOK ISLANDS

Men: Cameron Brown, Rhys Dakin, Glassie Glassie, Valentine Holmes, Esom Ioka, KL Iro (captain), 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

ENGLAND

Men: 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

Women: Keara Bennett, Connie Boyd, Amelia Brown, Ruby Bruce, Mary Coleman, Evie Cousins, Jodie Cunningham, Anna Davies, Hollie-Mae Dodd, Jenna Foubister, Fran Goldthorp, Eva Hunter, Molly Jones, Hope Millard, Lucy Murray, Georgia Roche, Isabel Rowe, Lucie Sams, Jasmine Strange, Vicky Whitfield, Megan Williams, Georgia Wilson, Liv Wood

Wheelchair: Mason Billington, Jack Brown, Nathan Collins, Joe Coyd, Luis Domingos, Rob Hawkins, Chris Haynes, Lewis King, Tristan Norfolk, Finlay O’Neill

FIJI

Men: 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

Women: Leilani Ahsam, Teaghan Hartigan, Talei Holmes, Tamika Jones, Ebony Laing, Sienna Laing, Lorren Ieli, Losana Lutu, Tahlia Marshall, Ema Masi, Rory Muller, Sereana Naitokatoka, Taina Naividi, Elizabeth Naleba, Aliti Namoce, Maria Paseka, Abigayle Sekitoga, Latisha Smythe, Cassie Staples, Naomi Tegu, Nanise Vakacavu, Isabella Waterman, Luisa Yaranamua

FRANCE

Men: 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

Women: Elisa Akpa, Tessa Benmalek, Leila Bessahli, Stecy Bessiere, Camille Boudaud, Margot Canal, Lisa Diraison, Tallis Kuresa, Chahrazad Himoudi, Haoua Kessely, Melissa Medina, Perrine Monsarrat, Elodie Pacull, Perle Ramazeilles, Fanny Ramos, Justine Roses, Manon Samarra, Noemie Samuel, Salome Segala, Cristina Song Puche, Louisa Tooman, Sarah Louise Vernay, Amael Vilanove

Wheelchair: Jérémy Bourson, Gilles Clausells, Nicolas Clausells, Dany Denuwelaere, Damien Doré, Guillaume Dubruel, Jorge Gelade Panzo, Florian Guttadoro, Jonathan Hivernat, Léo Hivernat, Adrien Zittel, Thomas Duhalde

IRELAND

Wheelchair: Oran Spain, Cian Horgan, Bledar Suxha, Toby Burton Carter, Melanie Griffith, Thomas Martin, Philip Roberts (playing coach), Peter Johnston, Joseph Calcott, James McCarthy, Maurice Noonan, Jack Mangan

LEBANON

Men: 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

NEW ZEALAND

Men: 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

Women: Brooke Anderson, Kaiyah Atai, Annessa Biddle, Brianna Clark, Georgia Hale, Mele Hufanga, Chantay Kiria-Ratu, Ivana Lauitiiti, Shannon Mato, Raecene McGregor, Shaniece Monschau, Apii Nicholls, Shanice Parker, Otesa Pule, Ashleigh Quinlan, Abigail Roache, Alexis Tauaneai, Trinity Tauaneai, Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa, Zahara Temara, Leianne Tufuga, Stacey Waaka, Tenika Willison

Wheelchair: Jack Brown, Ryan Charles, Hayden Delves, Nikia Fa’atau, Joshua Hirini-Barclay, Jayson Hooker (captain), Kauri Murray, Pele Sulusi, Mitch Stone, Jamie Tapp

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Men: 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

Women: Elsie Albert, Emily Veivers, Essay Banu, India Seeto, Jafinda Sap, Shellie Long, Venesa Nakas, Therese Aiton, Naomi Kelly, Ua Ravu, Fleur Ginn, Ivania Wong, Relna Wuruki-Hosea, Tia Molo, Anika Butler, Jenny David, Josephine Howard, Belinda Gwasamun, Cynthiah Peters, MYA Muller, Mala Mark, Jasmine Joe, Gemma Schnaubelt

SAMOA

Men: 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

Women: Amber Hall, Annetta Nu’uausala, Christabelle Onesemo-Tuilaepa, Christian Pio, Destiny Mino-Sinapati, Evania Isa’ako, Evelyn Roberts, Fanua Rimoni, Freedom Crichton Ropati, Ivana Lolesio, Jasmine Fogavini, Jaydika Tafua, Jetaya Faifua, Laikha Clarke, Leilani Wilson, Mary Jane Taito, Mercedez Taulelei-Siala, Monica Tagoai, Pauline Pilia’e-Rasabale, Sarina Masaga, Taliah Fuimaono, Tavarna Papalii, Tyra Ekepati

SCOTLAND

Wheelchair: Alex Howe, Arran King, Calum Davidson, Calum Japes, David Hill, Hamish Douglas, James Simpson-Hill, John Clarke, Mark Robertson, Max Owen, Olivia Fulton, Sarah Devlin

TONGA

Men: Addin Fonua-Blake, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Demitric 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

USA

Wheelchair: Jesse Lind, Austin “Mack” Johnson, Brent Hawkins, Antoine Gray, Frederick Smith III, William “Mo” Fox, James Ross, Eric Wooten, Lavern Anderson Jr, William “Bill” Johnstone, Andy Kingsley, Jabrier Lee

WALES

Women: Hannah Bluck, Hollie Brussels, Leanne Burnell, Katie Carr, Georgia Cussons, Bethan Dainton, Lucia Davies, Jasmine Gibbons, Zoe Heeley, Gracie Hobbs, Emily Hughes, Frances Layton, Ffion Lewis, Carys Marsh, Dani McGifford, Jade Mullen, Tayla Preston, Amberley Ruck, Kathryn Salter, Paige Travis, Erin Williams, Siân Williams, Agnes Wood

Wheelchair: Stuart Williams, Jodie Boyd-Ward, Andrew Higgins, Lee Sargent, Jonathan Gill, Fionn McCabe, Martin Turner, Gareth Ramsey, Sid Ramsey, Matthew Turner, Mark Williams, John Berriman