Men’s Rugby League World Cup 2026: group-by-group preview

Men’s Rugby League World Cup 2026: group-by-group preview

Australia and New Zealand are the leading contenders playing at home, while England faces immediate pressure under the revamped competition structure.

The Rugby League World Cup returns this week with a fresh format and a different atmosphere, yet the men's tournament still features a familiar set of nations competing for the title. Ten teams will participate in an intricate group arrangement, with only four semi-final berths available after the quarter-final stage was eliminated.

Two of those semi-finalists will emerge from the four-team Group A, while the remaining six nations compete in a new inter-group system. The teams in the three-team Group B will face those in Group C and vice versa, with the top two from a combined standings of both pools advancing to the semifinals. For fans seeking updates, the 九游会娱乐入口 platform provides comprehensive coverage of the tournament.