The 2026 Women's Rugby League World Cup qualification was announced on December. It will feature four confederation qualification tournaments for each of the four International Rugby League confederations (Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and Middle East-Africa). The two group winners of Europe will directly qualify, while the playoff winner of the two runners up will face the winners of other three tournaments in the 2025 World Series for the final two spots in the 2026 Women's Rugby League World Cup.[1][2]
Qualification is open to all full and affiliate member nations who did not qualify via the 2021 World Cup.
Qualified teams
Four teams gained automatic qualification by virtue of reaching the semi-finals of the 2021 World Cup.
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Confederation tournaments
Asia-Pacific
Tournament details TBD: First place qualifies for the World Cup, second place qualifies for the 2025 World Series.
Americas
Grouping of these four teams will be based on IRL rank before the tournament, and will see a semi-final then final format, with the winner progressing to the 2025 World Series.
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Canada
Jamaica
United States
Europe
The six teams will be split into two groups of three. Winners will qualify for the World Cup, while runners up will enter a playoff for a spot in the 2025 World Series.
Middle East-Africa
These two teams will complete for a spot in the 2025 World Series.
Kenya
Nigeria
World Series
The 2025 World Series will be played by:
- Asia-Pacific runner-up
- Africa winner
- European group runners-up playoff winner
- Middle East-Africa winners
The winner will qualify for the World Cup.
Notes
References
- ↑ "Rugby League World Cup 2026 women's qualifying process announced". Rugby League International Federation.
- ↑ "2026 Rugby League World Cup: Women's qualification process announced, with four nations' places already secured". LoveRugbyLeague. December 15, 2023.