The next Rugby League World Cup: two hosts, 26 teams and one year late

The return to Australia in 2026 is a blow to expansionists, but a slimmed-down tournament makes sense for the sport

By Gavin Willacy for No Helmets Required

Expansionists have twice been denied the excitement of new hosts. Initially, the next World Cup was going to be held in the United States and Canada in 2025, before France took over as potential hosts. When that plan fell through, the tournament was pushed back to 2026, with New Zealand and Fiji suggested as hosts, only for it to be confirmed this week that the World Cup is going back to Australia (and Papua New Guinea) again.