LeagueNews.co | Nick Loken
warriors.kiwi are reporting that the next IRL Rugby League World Cup will be held in the Southern Hemisphere in 2026.
This tournament will see the men's, women's, and wheelchair competitions played alongside each other.
The decision to shift the World Cup from 2025 to 2026 and revise the format was made during an IRL board meeting in Singapore.
The aim is to capitalize on the growth of the international game.
The 2026 Rugby League World Cup will feature 10 men's teams, 8 women's teams, and 8 wheelchair teams.
These changes were made due to France withdrawing as hosts of the previously scheduled 2025 Rugby League World Cup.
Additionally, it has been decided that the Women's Rugby League World Cup following RLWC2026 will be held as a stand-alone tournament in 2028.
This move acknowledges the rapid development of Women's Rugby League since RLWC2017 and draws inspiration from the success of the current stand-alone FIFA Women's World Cup being held in Australia and New Zealand.