Samoa opens against France, then faces Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby and Tonga in Sydney.
It could need three wins to qualify for the semi-finals.
The top two across Groups B and C, including England, face Group A's top two.
Australia and New Zealand are likely Group A qualifiers, drawn with Fiji and Cook Islands.
Samoa announced Tuesday that injured winger Greg Marzhew, 29, would miss the World Cup, forcing a late change.
Marzhew was expected to partner Brian To'o, and the tournament would have been his second Samoa Test.
Deine Mariner is named on the wing against France; Warriors forward Eddie Ieremia-Toeava is outside the 23.
Samoa's backline also features Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Izack Tago, Stephen Crichton, Chanel Harris-Tavita and Jarome Luai.
Forwards Jeremiah Nanai, Payne Haas and Terrell May are also unavailable.
Ieremia-Toeava has 18 NRL games after a strong Warriors season and could make his international debut.