LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
The International Rugby League has finalized its latest international rankings, with the 2026 World Cup draw set to be revealed in the near future.
Samoa has emerged as a significant contender in both the men's and women's categories following impressive performances during the Pacific Championships.
In the men's rankings, Samoa has climbed to fourth place, overtaking Tonga, which has dropped to fifth. The women's Samoan team has also made a substantial leap, moving from twelfth to fifth position.
Australia continues to hold the top spot in the world rankings for both men and women. New Zealand ranks second, while England occupies third place in both categories.
The men's top five is completed by Samoa and Tonga, followed by Papua New Guinea, Fiji, France, and the Cook Islands, all of whom are set to compete in the upcoming World Cup.
Lebanon, another team participating in the World Cup, has slipped to 21st place after a defeat to Italy in a match that featured no NRL players. Conversely, Serbia has advanced to tenth place after winning Division B of the European Championship.
In other changes, Ukraine has climbed to the twelfth position following its victory in Division C of Europe, maintaining its place just behind the Netherlands at eleventh. Ukraine is ahead of Wales, Italy, and Greece, which sit in thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth places, respectively.