New look World Cup announced for 2026 in Southern Hemisphere
The next IRL Rugby League World Cup will take place in the Southern Hemisphere in 2026, with men’s, women’s and wheelchair tournaments to again be played alongside each other.
An IRL board meeting in Singapore has agreed to shift the World Cup from 2025 to 2026 and stage it under a revised format as part of a new calendar to 2030 aimed at capitalising on the growth of the international game. The 2026 Rugby League World Cup will feature 10 men’s, eight women’s and eight wheelchair teams. The changes were made after France’s decision to withdraw as hosts of the previously scheduled 2025 Rugby League World Cup.
Key points
International Rugby League has agreed an International Calendar to 2030.
The return of the Ashes, with England Men and Women to tour Australia in 2025.
Kangaroo and Kiwi tours to resume.
International tours for other nations are back on the agenda.
Dedicated Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere Tri-Nations and Four Nations tournaments.
Greater emphasis on Regional Championships and World Cup qualifying process, including a new World Series to help nations develop.
Men’s and Women’s games to grow under new International Calendar.
Change to World Cups cycle, with the next World Cup for Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair teams to be staged in 2026.
A World Cup every two years, with a stand-alone Women’s World Cup in 2028, followed by the Men’s World Cup in 2030.
No World Cup 9s in the calendar as IRL focuses on developing 13-a-side and Wheelchair games.
Read more: https://www.nrl.com/news/2023/08/03/new ... emisphere/
https://www.nrl.com/news/2023/08/03/ash ... -calendar/
2026 World Cup
Moderator: GH Moderators
