Rugby League World Cup Squads: All 10 Teams Named

All ten men’s squads for the Rugby League World Cup were named in the first week of October.

All ten men’s squads for the Rugby League World Cup were named in the first week of October. Each nation picks 23 players, and Tonga named 24 with one still to be cut. Below is every squad with its coach, captain and team news, plus the Jillaroos squad for the women’s tournament. The schedule, ladder and tips for every match are on our Rugby League World Cup hub.

Every Squad at a Glance

Team	Coach	Captain	Pool
Australia (Kangaroos)	Kevin Walters	Isaah Yeo	A
New Zealand (Kiwis)	Stacey Jones	James Fisher-Harris	A
Fiji (Bati)	Mick Potter	Apisai Koroisau (expected)	A
Cook Islands (Aitu)	Karmichael Hunt	KL Iro and Marata Niukore	A
England	Brian McDermott	George Williams	B
Samoa (Toa Samoa)	Ben Gardiner	Junior Paulo and Jarome Luai	B
Lebanon (Cedars)	Michael Cheika	To be confirmed	B
France	Laurent Frayssinous	Benjamin Garcia (expected)	C
Papua New Guinea (Kumuls)	Jason Demetriou	Rhyse Martin (expected)	C
Tonga	Kristian Woolf	To be confirmed	C

Australia (Kangaroos) Squad

Coach: Kevin Walters. Captain: Isaah Yeo. Pool: A.

Walters named his 23 on 5 October. Isaah Yeo captains the side and has put off pectoral surgery to play. Six players are in line for Test debuts: Bradman Best, Jack Bostock, Blayke Brailey, David Fifita, Sam Walker and Jacob Preston. James Tedesco and Latrell Mitchell return, and Nathan Cleary misses the tournament with a broken leg. Ethan Strange, Hamish Stewart and Thomas Jenkins are the shadow players.

Squad: Isaah Yeo (c), Bradman Best, Jack Bostock, Blayke Brailey, Pat Carrigan, Lindsay Collins, Reuben Cotter, Tom Dearden, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, David Fifita, Harry Grant, Keaon Koloamatangi, Liam Martin, Latrell Mitchell, Mitchell Moses, Cameron Munster, Cameron Murray, Jacob Preston, Kotoni Staggs, James Tedesco, Tom Trbojevic, Sam Walker, Reece Walsh.

Opening game: Australia vs New Zealand tips and preview.

New Zealand (Kiwis) Squad

Coach: Stacey Jones. Captain: James Fisher-Harris. Pool: A.

Jones named his 23 on 6 October with James Fisher-Harris as captain. Kalyn Ponga, Dane Gagai, Jacob Laban and Tanner Stowers-Smith are in line for Kiwis debuts, Ponga and Gagai after switching from Australia. Jahrome Hughes returns, and Phoenix Crossland is not in the squad while he serves a four-match ban.

Squad: James Fisher-Harris (c), Erin Clark, Dane Gagai, Jahrome Hughes, Jamayne Isaako, Keano Kini, Jacob Laban, Moses Leota, Jeremy Marshall-King, Te Maire Martin, Casey McLean, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Briton Nikora, Kodi Nikorima, Isaiah Papali’i, Kalyn Ponga, Scott Sorensen, Tanner Stowers-Smith, Joseph Tapine, Leo Thompson, Naufahu Whyte, Xavier Willison.

Opening game: Australia vs New Zealand tips and preview.

Fiji (Bati) Squad

Coach: Mick Potter. Captain: Apisai Koroisau (expected). Pool: A.

Potter named his 23 on 5 October. Viliame Kikau (ankle) and Jahream Bula (shoulder) are out, Tui Kamikamica has retired, and the Fainu brothers were ruled ineligible.

Squad: Apisai Koroisau, Bayleigh Bentley-Hape, Waqa Blake, Kurt Donoghoe, Apenisa Driti, Kitione Kautoga, Elijah Keung, Josese Lanyon, Jordan Leiu, Joseph Litidamu, Kylan Mafoa, Jordan Miller, Taane Milne, Caleb Navale, Jimmy Ngutlik, Ronald Philitoga, Mitchell Prest, Emosi Ravosai, Jacob Saifiti, Solomone Saukuru, Sunia Turuva, Semi Valemei, Brandon Wakeham.

Opening game: Fiji vs Cook Islands tips and preview.

Cook Islands (Aitu) Squad

Coach: Karmichael Hunt. Captain: KL Iro and Marata Niukore. Pool: A.

Hunt named his 23 on 6 October with KL Iro and Marata Niukore as co-captains. Valentine Holmes, a two-time World Cup winner with Australia, makes his Cook Islands debut, and Brendan Piakura is out after a series of concussions.

Squad: KL Iro (c), Marata Niukore (c), Cameron Brown, Rhys Dakin, Glassie Glassie, Valentine Holmes, Esom Ioka, Chaev Kolone, Makahesi Makatoa, Esan Marsters, Amare Milford, Davvy Moale, K-Ci Newton-Whare, Rua Ngatikaura, Pride Petterson-Robati, Reuben Porter, Reubenn Rennie, Brad Takairangi, Mason Teague, David Tuariki, Paul Ulberg, Delahia Wigmore, Maui Winitana-Patelesio.

Opening game: Fiji vs Cook Islands tips and preview.

England Squad

Coach: Brian McDermott. Captain: George Williams. Pool: B.

McDermott, appointed in April after Shaun Wane stepped down, named his 23 on 5 October with George Williams as captain. Hugo Savala, Zach Eckersley, Max King, Ben Talty and Sam Walters are uncapped. Victor Radley and Matty Ashton return, Jake Connor was left out, and Tom Johnstone, Mike McMeeken, Jake Wardle and Billy Smith are among the injured.

Squad: George Williams (c), Matty Ashton, AJ Brimson, Ben Currie, Zach Eckersley, Herbie Farnworth, Ethan Havard, Max King, Morgan Knowles, Mikey Lewis, Jez Litten, Junior Nsemba, Brad O’Neill, Kai Pearce-Paul, Victor Radley, Hugo Savala, Harry Smith, Morgan Smithies, Ben Talty, Luke Thompson, Sam Walters, Jack Welsby, Dom Young.

Opening game: England vs Tonga tips and preview.

Samoa (Toa Samoa) Squad

Coach: Ben Gardiner. Captain: Junior Paulo and Jarome Luai. Pool: B.

Gardiner named his 23 on 6 October with Junior Paulo and Jarome Luai as co-captains. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow chose Samoa over Australia. Payne Haas is out after hand surgery, and Jeremiah Nanai and Murray Taulagi missed the cut.

Squad: Junior Paulo (c), Jarome Luai (c), Shawn Blore, Stephen Crichton, Sua Fa’alogo, Clayton Faulalo, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Benaiah Ioelu, Connelly Lemuelu, Spencer Leniu, Francis Manuleleua, Deine Mariner, Ata Mariota, Greg Marzhew, Jermaine McEwen, Francis Molo, Pasami Saulo, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Izack Tago, Jazz Tevaga, Brian To’o, Enari Tuala, Ronald Volkman.

Opening game: Samoa vs France tips and preview.

Lebanon (Cedars) Squad

Coach: Michael Cheika. Captain: To be confirmed. Pool: B.

Cheika named his 23 this week. Jacob Kiraz is the headline player and Jason Saab makes his debut. Mitchell Moses now plays for Australia, and Adam Doueihi is out with a shoulder injury.

Squad: Mohamed Alameddine, Yehya Ayache, Jalal Bazzaz, Alex Conti, Moustafa Dirani, Ibrahim El Labban, Tony Francis, Tupou Francis, Michael Gabrael, Mikael Ibrahim, Jacob Kiraz, Abbas Miski, Brad Morkos, Joseph Nohra, Jaxson Rahme, Khalil Rahme, Khaled Rajab, James Roumanos, Jason Saab, Jordan Samrani, Tony Sukkar, Charbel Tasipale, Alex Twal.

Opening game: Papua New Guinea vs Lebanon tips and preview.

France Squad

Coach: Laurent Frayssinous. Captain: Benjamin Garcia (expected). Pool: C.

Frayssinous named his 23 on 1 October. Eight play for Toulouse Olympique and six for Catalans, and South Sydney’s Latrell Siegwalt is the only NRL player. Joe Drodrolagi, who played for Fiji at the last World Cup, now qualifies for France on residency.

Squad: Benjamin Garcia, Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet, Lambert Belmas, Julian Bousquet, Amir Bourouh, Tiaki Chan, Mathieu Cozza, Alrix Da Costa, Léo Darrelatour, Jordan Dezaria, Joe Drodrolagi, Théo Fages, Louis Grossemy, Mathieu Jussaume, Thomas Lacans, Benjamin Laguerre, Arthur Mourgue, Romain Navarrete, Arthur Romano, César Rougé, Latrell Siegwalt, Roméo Tropis, Fouad Yaha.

Opening game: Samoa vs France tips and preview.

Papua New Guinea (Kumuls) Squad

Coach: Jason Demetriou. Captain: Rhyse Martin (expected). Pool: C.

Demetriou named his 23 on 6 October. Rhyse Martin is expected to lead PNG in his last tournament. Lachlan Lam, Alex Johnston, Cooper Bai and Xavier Coates are all out.

Squad: Rhyse Martin, Bailey Biondi-Odo, Jack de Belin, Robert Derby, Dudley Dotoi, Josh Feledy, Finley Glare, Liam Horne, Edwin Ipape, Zev John, Epel Kapinias, Zac Laybutt, Nene Macdonald, Robert Mathias, Morea Morea Jnr, Luca Moretti, Sylvester Namo, Nixon Putt, Valentine Richard, Rodrick Tai, Gairo Voro, Sanny Wabo, Khaiya Waiembi.

Opening game: Papua New Guinea vs Lebanon tips and preview.

Tonga Squad

Coach: Kristian Woolf. Captain: To be confirmed. Pool: C.

Woolf named 24 players on 6 October, with one to be cut before the tournament. Robert Toia and Jojo Fifita chose Tonga over Australia, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak switches from New Zealand, and Daniel Tupou was left out.

Squad: Paul Alamoti, Talatau Amone, Latu Fainu, Jojo Fifita, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Salesi Foketi, Addin Fonua-Blake, Moeaki Fotuaika, Tyson Frizell, Leka Halasima, Lehi Hopoate, Isaiya Katoa, Sione Katoa, Tolutau Koula, Tuimoala Lolohea, Soni Luke, Haumole Olakau’atu, Taniela Paseka, Jason Taumalolo, Robert Toia, Stefano Utoikamanu, Demitric Vaimauga, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Siua Wong.

Opening game: England vs Tonga tips and preview.

Jillaroos Squad (Women’s World Cup)

Coach: Jess Skinner. Captain: Isabelle Kelly. The Jillaroos are the defending champions and have won the last three Women’s World Cups. Sariah Paki, Jocelyn Kelleher and Makenzie Weale are in line for debuts, Millie Elliott retires after the tournament, and Ali Brigginshaw, who played her last NRLW game in this month’s Grand Final, was not selected. Opening game: Jillaroos vs Samoa tips and preview.

Squad: Isabelle Kelly (c), Tarryn Aiken, Kezie Apps, Shaylee Bent, Jaime Chapman, Abbi Church, Quincy Dodd, Millie Elliott, Olivia Higgins, Ellie Johnston, Keilee Joseph, Jocelyn Kelleher, Olivia Kernick, Keeley Nizza, Sariah Paki, Tiana Penitani Gray, Julia Robinson, Jessica Sergis, Jesse Southwell, Simaima Taufa, Sarah Togatuki, Tamika Upton, Makenzie Weale.

Compare match and try scorer prices for every squad at our best rugby league betting sites.

Rugby League World Cup Squads FAQs

How many players are in a Rugby League World Cup squad?

Each men’s nation names 23 players. Tonga named 24 and will cut one before the tournament.

Who is in the Kangaroos World Cup squad?

Kevin Walters named 23 players on 5 October with Isaah Yeo as captain, including James Tedesco, Cameron Munster, Harry Grant, Latrell Mitchell and six potential debutants.

Who is captaining the Kiwis at the World Cup?

James Fisher-Harris captains New Zealand under coach Stacey Jones.

Who coaches England at the Rugby League World Cup?

Brian McDermott, appointed in April 2026, with George Williams as captain.

Who is in the Jillaroos World Cup squad?

Jess Skinner’s 23-player squad is captained by Isabelle Kelly and includes Tarryn Aiken, Tamika Upton and Olivia Kernick.

More Rugby League World Cup Coverage

• Rugby League World Cup hub: schedule, ladder and tips
• Samoa vs France tips
• Papua New Guinea vs Lebanon tips
• England vs Tonga tips
• Fiji vs Cook Islands tips
• Australia vs New Zealand tips
• Women’s Rugby League World Cup
• Rugby League World Cup winners
• The final
• Results and ladder
• Schedule and TV guide

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