The 2026 Rugby League Cup kicks off in Sydney with the Kangaroos facing the Kiwis of New Zealand, in what could well be an early preview of the final.
With the continuing growth of International Rugby League and the improving strength of the island nations, each World Cup throws up a tougher challenge.
This year, with the men's, women's and wheelchair competitions to be played across Australia and Papua New Guinea, Australia's long standing rugby league dominance is under serious threat.
MEN'S
Group Games
Thu 15 Oct, 8:05pm - Australia vs. New Zealand - Allianz Stadium
Fri 16 Oct, 5:45pm - Samoa vs. France - CommBank Stadium
Sat 17 Oct, 3:25pm - Papua New Guinea vs. Lebanon - Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
Sat 17 Oct, 8:05pm - England vs. Tonga - HBF Park, Perth
Sun 18 Oct, 4:05pm - Fiji vs. Cook Islands - McDonald Jones Stadium
Week 2
Fri 23 Oct, 8:05pm - Tonga vs. Lebanon - CommBank Stadium
Sat 24 Oct, 3:25pm - Papua New Guinea vs. Samoa - Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
Sat 24 Oct, 5:35pm - England vs. France - HBF Park, Perth
Sun 25 Oct, 4:05pm - New Zealand vs. Cook Islands - One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch
Sun 25 Oct, 8:05pm - Australia vs. Fiji - Suncorp Stadium
Week 3
Fri 30 Oct, 8:05pm - England vs. Papua New Guinea - WIN Stadium
Sat 31 Oct, 3:45pm - New Zealand vs. Fiji - Cbus Super Stadium
Sat 31 Oct, 8:05pm - Australia vs. Cook Islands - Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Sun 1 Nov, 5:50pm - Lebanon vs. France - CommBank Stadium
Sun 1 Nov, 8:05pm - Tonga vs. Samoa - CommBank Stadium
Semifinals
Sat Nov 7, 8:05pm - TBC vs. TBC - McDonald Jones Stadium
Sun Nov 8, 8:05pm - TBC vs. TBC - Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Final
Sun Nov 15, 7:35pm - TBC v TBC - Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
TABLE
SQUADS
Australia
Bradman Best (Knights), Jack Bostock (Dolphins), Blayke Brailey (Sharks), Pat Carrigan (Broncos), Reuben Cotter, Tom Dearden (Cowboys), Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (Titans), David Fifita, Keaon Koloamatangi, Latrell Mitchell, Cameron Murray (Rabbitohs), Harry Grant, Cameron Munster (Storm), Liam Martin, Lindsay Smith, Isaah Yeo (Panthers), Mitchell Moses (Eels), Jacob Preston (Bulldogs), Kotoni Staggs, Reece Walsh (Broncos), James Tedesco, Sam Walker (Roosters), Tom Trbojevic (Sea Eagles)
Cook Islands
Cameron Brown (Brisbane Tigers), Rhys Dakin (Roosters), Glassie Glassie (Tigers), Valentine Holmes (Dragons), Esom Ioka (Brisbane Tigers), KL Iro (Sharks), Chaev Kolone (Raiders), Makahesi Makatoa (Roosters), Esan Marsters (Bradford Bulls), Amare Milford (Storm), Davvy Moale (Storm), K-CI Newton-Whare (Storm), Rua Ngatikaura (North Sydney Bears), Marata Niukore (Warriors), Pride Petterson-Robati (Souths Logan Magpies), Reuben Porter (Dragons), Reubenn Rennie (Toulouse Olympique), Brad Takairangi (Glebe Dirty Reds), Mason Teague (Wakefield Trinity), David Tuariki (Storm), Paul Ulberg (Toulouse Olympique), Delahia Wigmore (Panthers), Maui Winitana-Patelesio (Warriors)
England
Matty Ashton (Warrington Wolves), AJ Brimson (Titans), Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves), Zach Eckersley (Wigan Warriors), Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), Ethan Havard (Wigan Warriors), Max King (Bulldogs), Morgan Knowles (Dolphins), Mikey Lewis (Hull KR), Jez Litten (Hull KR), Junior Nsemba (Wigan Warriors), Brad O'Neill (Wigan Warriors), Kai Pearce-Paul (Tigers), Victor Radley (Roosters), Hugo Savala (Roosters), Harry Smith (Wigan Warriors), Morgan Smithies (Raiders), Ben Talty (Broncos), Luke Thompson (Wigan Warriors), Sam Walters (Wigan Warriors), Jack Welsby (St Helens), George Williams (Warrington Wolves), Dom Young (Knights)
Fiji
Bayleigh Bentley-Hape (Rabbitohs), Waqa Blake (St Helens), Kurt Donoghoe (Dolphins), Apenisa Driti (Northern Pride), Kitione Kautoga (Bulldogs), Elijah Keung (Bulldogs), Apisai Koroisau (Tigers), Josese Lanyon (Tigers), Jordan Leiu (Bulldogs), Joseph Litidamu (Fiji Bati), Kylan Mafoa (Sea Eagles), Taane Milne (Rabbitohs), Caleb Navale (Sea Eagles), Jimmy Ngutlik (Western Suburbs Magpies), Ronald Philitoga (North Sydney Bears), Mitchell Prest (Mackay Cutters), Emosi Ravosai (Kaiviti Silktails), Jacob Saifiti (Knights), Solomone Saukuru (Tigers), Sunia Turuva (Tigers), Semi Valemei (Castleford Tigers), Brandon Wakeham (Sea Eagles), Jordan Miller (Tigers)
France
Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet (Catalans Dragons), Léo Darrélatour (Catalans Dragons), Julian Bousquet (Catalans Dragons), Romain Navarrete (Catalans Dragons), Benjamin Garcia (Catalans Dragons), Alrix Da Costa (Catalans Dragons), Benjamin Laguerre (Toulouse Olympique), César Rougé (Toulouse Olympique), Thomas Lacans (Toulouse Olympique), Lambert Belmas (Toulouse Olympique), Tiaki Chan (Toulouse Olympique), Louis Grossemy (Toulouse Olympique), Mathieu Jussaume (Toulouse Olympique), Roméo Tropis (Toulouse Olympique), Amir Bourouh (Hull FC), Arthur Romano (Hull FC), Arthur Mourgue (Hull KR), Jordan Dezaria (Hull KR), Mathieu Cozza (Huddersfield), Joe Drodrolagi (AS Carcassonne), Théo Fages (Pia Donkeys), Fouad Yaha (Albi), Latrell Siegwalt (Rabbitohs)
Lebanon
Mohamed Alameddine (Eels), Yehya Ayache (Rabbitohs), Jalal Bazzaz (Shellharbour Stingrays), Alex Conti (Bulldogs), Moustafa Dirani (St Marys Saints), Ibrahim El Labban (Wentworthville Magpies), Tony Francis (Titans), Tupou Francis (Broncos), Michael Gabrael (Sharks), Mikael Ibrahim (Titans), Jacob Kiraz (Bulldogs), Abbas Miski (Wigan Warriors), Brandon Morkos (Dragons), Joseph Nohra (Eels), Jaxson Rahme (Roosters), Khalil Rahme (Newtown Jets), Khaled Rajab (Newtown Jets), James Roumanos (Toulouse Olympique), Jason Saab (Sea Eagles), Jordan Samrani (Eels), Tanous Sukkar (Tigers), Charbel Tasipale (Newtown Jets), Alex Twal (Tigers)
New Zealand
Erin Clark (Warriors), James Fisher-Harris (Warriors), Dane Gagai (Knights), Jahrome Hughes (Storm), Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins), Keano Kini (Titans), Jacob Laban (Warriors), Moses Leota (Panthers), Jeremy Marshall-King (Dolphins), Te Maire Martin (Warriors), Casey McLean (Panthers), Ronaldo Mulitalo (Sharks), Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Warriors), Briton Nikora (Sharks), Kodi Nikorima (Dolphins), Isaiah Papali'i (Panthers), Kalyn Ponga (Knights), Scott Sorensen (Panthers), Tanner Stowers-Smith (Warriors), Joseph Tapine (Raiders), Leo Thompson (Bulldogs), Naufahu Whyte (Roosters), Xavier Willison (Broncos)
Papua New Guinea
Jack de Belin (Eels), Robert Derby (Cowboys), Dudley Dotoi (Townsville Blackhawks), Josh Feledy (Sea Eagles), Finley Glare (London Broncos), Liam Horne (Leigh Leopards), Edwin Ipape (Leigh Leopards), Zev John (Central Queensland Capras), Epel Kapinias (London Broncos), Bailey Biondi-Odo (Townsville Blackhawks), Zac Laybutt (Cowboys), Nene Macdonald (St Helens Saints), Rhyse Martin (Hull KR), Robert Mathias (London Broncos), Morea Morea Jnr (London Broncos), Luca Moretti (Eels), Sylvester Namo (Brisbane Tigers), Nixon Putt (Central Queensland Capras), Rodrick Tai (Central Queensland Capras), Valentine Richard (PNG Hunters), Gairo Voro (London Broncos), Sanny Wabo (PNG Hunters), Khaiya Waiembi (PNG Hunters)
Samoa
Shawn Blore, Anae Ulesese (Storm), Stephen Crichton (Bulldogs), Sua Fa'alogo (Storm), Clayton Faulalo (Sea Eagles), Chanel Harris-Tavita (Warriors), Benaiah Ioelu (Roosters), Connelly Lemuelu (Dolphins), Spencer Leniu (Roosters), Jarome Luai (Tigers), Francis Manuleleua (Knights), Deine Mariner (Broncos), Ata Mariota (Raiders), Greg Marzhew (Knights), Jermaine McEwen (Knights), Francis Molo (Dolphins), Junior Paulo (Eels), Pasami Saulo (Knights), Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins), Izack Tago (Panthers), Jazz Tevaga (Wakefield Trinity), Brian To'o (Panthers), Enari Tuala (Bulldogs), Ronald Volkman (Eels)
Tonga
Addin Fonua-Blake (Sharks), Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Warriors), Demitric Vaimauga (Warriors), Haumole Olakau'atu (Sea Eagles), Isaiya Katoa (Dolphins), Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys), Jojo Fifita (Titans), Junior Amone (Wynnum Manly Seagulls), Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (Dolphins), Latu Fainu (Tigers), Lehi Hopoate (Sea Eagles), Leka Halasima (Warriors), Paul Alamoti (Panthers), Robert To'ia (Roosters), Salesi Foketi (Roosters), Sione Katoa (Sharks), Siua Wong (Roosters), Soni Luke (Cowboys), Stefano Utoikamanu (Storm), Taniela Paseka (Sea Eagles), Tolutau Koula (Sea Eagles), Tuimoala Lolohea (Huddersfield Giants), Tyson Frizell (Knights)
Women's
Pools
Group A: Australia, England, Samoa, Wales
Group B: New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, France, Fiji
GROUP GAMES
Week 1
Fri Oct 16, 8:05pm - Australia vs. Samoa - CommBank Stadium
Sat Oct 17, 1:15pm - Papua New Guinea vs. France - Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
Sat Oct 17, 5:35pm - England vs. Wales - HBF Park, Perth
Sun Oct 18, 1:50pm - New Zealand vs. Fiji - McDonald Jones Stadium
Week 2
Fri Oct 23, 5:45pm - Samoa vs. Wales - CommBank Stadium
Sat Oct 24, 1:15pm - Fiji vs. Papua New Guinea - Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
Sat Oct 24, 8:05pm - Australia vs. England - HBF Park, Perth
Sun Oct 25, 2pm - New Zealand vs. France - One NZ Stadium, Christchurch
Week 3
Fri Oct 30, 5:45pm - England vs. Samoa - WIN Stadium
Sat Oct 31, 1:20pm - Fiji vs. France - Cbus Super Stadium
Sat Oct 31, 5:45pm - New Zealand vs. Papua New Guinea - Cbus Super Stadium
Sun Nov 1, 3:40pm - Australia vs. Wales - CommBank Stadium
Semifinals
Sat Nov 7, 5:45pm - TBC v TBC - McDonald Jones Stadium
Sun Nov 8, 5:45pm - TBC v TBC - Allianz Stadium
Finals
Sun Nov 15, 4:10pm - TBC v TBC - Suncorp Stadium
SQUADS
Australia
Tarryn Aiken, Kezie Apps, Shaylee Bent, Jaime Chapman, Abbi Church, Quincy Dodd, Millie Elliott, Olivia Higgins, Ellie Johnston, Keilee Joseph, Jocelyn Kelleher, Isabelle Kelly, Olivia Kernick, Keeley Nizza, Sariah Paki, Tiana Penitani Gray, Julia Robinson, Jessica Sergis, Jesse Southwell, Simaima Taufa, Sarah Togatuki, Tamika Upton, Makenzie Weale.
England
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, Jasmin Strange, Vicky Whitfield, Megan Williams, Georgia Wilson, Liv Wood.
Samoa
Amber Hall, Annetta Nu'uausala, Christabelle Onesemo-Tuilaepa, Christian Pio, Evania Isa'ako, Evelyn Roberts, Fanua Rimoni, Freedom Crichton Ropati, Ivana Lolesio, Jaydika Tafua, Jetaya Faifua, Laikha Clarke, Leilani Wilson, Mary-Jane Taito, Mercedez Taulelei-Siala, Monica Tagoai, Pauline Piliae-Rasabale, Sarina Masaga, Taliah Fuimaono, Tavarna Papalii, Tyra Ekepati.
Wales
Hannah Bluck, Hollie Brussels, Leanne Burnell, Katie Carr, Georgia Cussions, 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.
Fiji
Leilani Ahsam, Teaghan Hartigan, Talei Holmes, Lorren Ieli, Tamika Jones, Ebony Laing, Sienna Laing, 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
Elisa Akpa, Tessa Benmalek, Leïla Bessahli, Stecy Bessiere, Camille Boudaud, Margot Canal, Lisa Diraison, Tallis Eranossian, Chahrazad Himoudi, Haoua Kessely, Mélissa Medina, Perrine Monsarrat, Élodie Pacull, Perle Ramazeilles, Fanny Ramos, Justine Roses, Manon Samarra, Noémie Samuel, Salomé Ségala, Cristina Song-Puche, Louisa Tooman, Sarah-Louise Vernay, Amaël Vilanove.
New Zealand
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.
Papua New Guinea
Therese Aiton, Elsie Albert, Essay Banu, Anika Butler, Jenny David, Fleur Ginn, Belinda Gwasamun, Josephine Howard, Jasmine Joe, Naomi Kelly, Shellie Long, Mala Mark, Tia Molo, Mya Muller, Venessa Nakas, Cynthiah Peters, Ua Ravu, Jafinda Sap, Gemma Schnaubelt, India Seeto, Emily Veivers, Ivania Wong, Relna Wuruki-Hosea.