24/07/2024
"Australia and PNG to host 2026 Rugby League World Cup as number of competing nations slashed"
Video here https://youtu.be/54d8xCcxVys
The RLWC was first held in France in 1954 and is the second oldest sporting world cup after the FIFA World Cup. It has followed a variety of formats, with the number of teams ranging from four to 10 in 2008, 14 in 2013 and 16 in 2017 and 2022.
Samoa created history by making the final at the most-recent edition, which in England, which followed Tonga’s emergence as a Pacific powerhouse in 2017.
Fiji were semi-finalists in 2008, 2013 and 2017 and only lost narrowly to New Zealand in the quarters in 2022, while PNG is on the rise.
“The Rugby League World Cup is the pinnacle of the sport and RLWC2026 promises to be the best and most competitive ever staged,” International Rugby League Chair Troy Grant said.
“We have all been impressed by the ARLC’s ventures into Las Vegas, led by Peter V’Landys and Andrew Abdo, and have no doubt that they will elevate the Rugby League World Cup to a new level.
“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 2026 World Cup in Australia, with matches to played in Papua New Guinea, will see the rise of the game in the Pacific reach greater heights and ensure rugby league is the No.1 sport in the region.
“The condensed format at RLWC2026 will mean every single match is competitive.
Australia has already hosted the World Cup twice this century, in 2008 and 2017, and the latter featured the women’s tournament being played alongside the men’s tournament for the first time.
“The Rugby League World Cup is the pinnacle of the game’s international calendar and Australia is set to deliver the most competitive and culturally diverse World Cup ever staged,” V’landys said.
“We will host matches across Australia and in Papua New Guinea to showcase the game’s best players to inspire the next generation, and cement Rugby League as the number one sport in the Pacific.
“The partnership between the two countries provides a unique opportunity to combine Australia’s experience in delivering world class and commercially viable events, while building capacity and capability in PNG, where the passion for the game is unrivalled and the potential for the game is untapped.
“The social and cultural legacy of this tournament will be wide-reaching and long-lasting, as we celebrate and promote diversity and inclusion, bringing communities together to tackle important social issues through the game of Rugby League.
