Rugby League World Cup qualification
Upcoming tournament
2026 Men's Rugby League World Cup qualification
SportRugby league
Instituted2000 (2000)
RegionInternational (IRL)

The Rugby League World Cup qualification is the process a national team goes through to qualify for the Rugby League World Cup Finals.

Qualifying rounds were first introduced for the 2000 World Cup to reflect the recent expansion of the tournament.

From 2017 hosts and teams reaching the knockout rounds of the previous tournament automatically qualify for the next. The remaining spots are achieved through regional qualification tournaments, split between the four International Rugby League confederation Asia-Pacific, Americas, Europe, and Middle East-Africa.

Prior to this qualification tournament occurred in more random groups and major rugby league nations were still invited without need for qualification.

Because of a changing number of teams making the finals and entering the qualifiers, and the unpredictability of the geographic spread of teams automatically qualifying, the format of the qualification tournament has changed with each edition of the tournament.

Pre-qualification era

New Zealand (TL), France (TR), Great Britain (BL), and Australia (BR) shirts from the inaugural 1954 tournament. They were the four nations to compete in the competition until the 1980s.

1954–1977

In the first eight edition of the tournament only four teams were invited to participate. These were:

NB: In 1975 Great Britain split into England and Wales for a one-off tournament due to Wales wanting to showcase their influx of Welsh talent they had at the time. No Scottish or Irish player made the original Great Britain squad for that year.

1985–1992

For the next two editions of the tournament, a fifth nation was invited to participate:

1995

Following the expansion of the tournament to a group and knockout format, the number of participating teams increase as well. The initial tournament of the modern era would be the final invited only tournament with four new teams making debut:

In addition to the two established British home nation sides beginning their regular participation in the tournament as separate entities:

2000

For 2000, the tournament was expanded to 16 teams. 15 gained automatic qualification or were invited:

The 16th place was fought for by six teams:

Team Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts
 Lebanon2200140161244
 Italy21015036142
 Morocco20020138-1380
Team Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts
 United States220012201224
 Japan21011454-402
 Canada2002082-820
Qualification play-off
21 November 1999
United States  8–62  Lebanon
Tries: Mains
Goals: Niu (2)
Sin Bin: Matautia
Sent Off: Faimalo
 Summary
 Tries: Coorey (3), Khoury (2), Chalal, Chehade, El Masri, Lambert, Salem, Touma
Goals: El Masri (9)
Sin Bin: Chamoun, Maroon

2008

Hosts and Invitees

Europe

Round 1
Team Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts Qualification
 Russia330010820+886Advance to Second Round
 Georgia320110250+524Ejected
 Netherlands310268123–552Failed to qualify
 Serbia300342127–850
Round 2
Group A
Team Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts Qualification
 Scotland21013732+52Qualified for World Cup
 Wales21013237–52Advance to Intercontinental Playoff
Group B
Team Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts Qualification
 Ireland422014264786Qualified for World Cup
 Lebanon422010442626Advance to Interncontinental Playoff
 Russia400438178−1400Failed to qualify

Pacific

Team Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts Qualification
 Tonga320110254484Qualified for World Cup
 Fiji32019862364
 Samoa32018652344Advances to Intercontinental Playoffs
 Cook Islands300324142−1180Failed to qualify for World Cup

Other

28 October 2006
United States 54–18 Japan
Aston Community Center Field, Aston
Attendance: 1,200

United States advance to Intercontinental playoffs

Intercontinental

Semi-finals
9 November 2007
Wales 26–50 Lebanon
Tries: Gibson (3)
Blackwood
Bracek
Goals: Harris (2/4)
Briers		Tries: Salem (3)
El Zbaideh
Kourouche
Moujalli
Ndaira
Saab
Samia Goals: Nicolas (7/9)
Halton Stadium, Widnes
Attendance: 753
9 November 2007
United States 10–42 Samoa
Halton Stadium, Widnes
Attendance: 753
Final
14 November 2007
Lebanon 16–38 Samoa
Post Office Road, Featherstone
Attendance: 1,323

Samoa qualify for World Cup

2013

Hosts and Invitees

Atlantic

Team Pld W D L TF PF PA +/− BP Pts
 United States 22000808+7204
 Jamaica 210102446−2202
 South Africa 200201060−5000

Europe

Team Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts
 Italy 321016331+1325
 Lebanon 321014723+1245
 Russia 310242152−1102
 Serbia 300338184−1460

2017

Automatic

Americas

Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts
 United States 2 2 0 0 54 38 +16 4
 Jamaica 2 0 1 1 32 38 −6 1
 Canada 2 0 1 1 42 52 −10 1
Source:

Asia-Pacific

17 October 2015
Tonga  28 – 8  Cook Islands
Try: Tafua 13' c
Fonua 34' c
Kata (2) 63', 68' c
Terepo 74' c
Goal: Kata (4/5) 14', 35', 69', 75'		 Report
 Try: Nicoll-Klokstad 4'
Gelling 23'


Goal: Rapana (0/2)
Campbelltown Stadium, Campbelltown
Attendance: 4,813
Referee: Australia Gerard Sutton
Player of the Match: Solomone Kata (Tonga)

Europe

Euro C
TeamPlayedWonDrawnLostForAgainstDifferencePoints
 Spain220011634824
 Malta21016040202
 Greece20024106-1020

Green: Advance to A

Euro B
Team Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts
 Serbia650119673+12310
 Russia640213731+1068
 Italy630314254+886
 Ukraine600680256–1760

Green: Advance to A

Euro A
Group A
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1  Wales 2 2 0 0 70 14 +56 4 Qualification for 2017 Rugby League World Cup
2  Italy 2 1 0 1 76 34 +42 2 Advance to fourth round
3  Serbia 2 0 0 2 14 112 −98 0
Source:
Group B
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1  Ireland 2 2 0 0 116 22 +94 4 Qualification for 2017 Rugby League World Cup
2  Russia 2 1 0 1 56 76 −20 2 Advance to fourth round
3  Spain 2 0 0 2 12 86 −74 0
Source:
Playoff
2017 Rugby League World Cup Europe qualification play-off
4 November 2016
20:00 GMT (UTC+0:00)
Italy  76 – 0  Russia
Tries: Castellaro (2), Cerruto (2), Lepori (2), Wilkie (2), Campese, Celerino, Centrone, Santi, Wakeman, Walker
Goals: Campese (10/14)
 Report (RLIF)
Leigh Sports Village, Leigh
Attendance: 450
Referee: Chris Campbell (England)
Player of the Match: Terry Campese (Italy)

Middle East-Africa

25 October 2015South Africa 12–40 LebanonBosman Stadium, Brakpan
31 October 2015South Africa 16–50 LebanonBosman Stadium, Brakpan

2021

Automatic

Americas

Semi-finals Final
    
 Canada 8
 Jamaica 38
 United States 10
 Jamaica 16
 United States 62
 Chile 0

 Jamaica qualify
 United States advance to Intercontinental playoffs

Europe

Round 1
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1  France 3 3 0 0 106 38 +68 6 Qualification for 2021 Rugby League World Cup
2  Wales 3 2 0 1 108 74 +34 4
3  Ireland 3 1 0 2 54 74 −20 2 Advance to Europe Repêchage for 2021 World Cup qualification
4  Scotland 3 0 0 3 32 114 −82 0
Source: ERL
Playoffs
Group A
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1  Ireland 2 2 0 0 67 12 +55 4 Qualification for 2021 Rugby League World Cup
2  Italy 2 1 0 1 38 29 +9 2
3  Spain 2 0 0 2 12 76 −64 0
Source: ERL
Group B
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1  Scotland 2 2 0 0 128 24 +104 4 Qualification for 2021 Rugby League World Cup
2  Greece 2 1 0 1 106 48 +58 2
3  Serbia 2 0 0 2 6 168 −162 0
Source: ERL

Intercontinental

Play-off qualifier Play-off
 United States 16
 Cook Islands 66  Cook Islands 38
 South Africa 6

 Cook Islands qualify

2026

Automatic

Results

As of the 2021 tournament, 21 different teams have competed in at least one world cup either via invitation or qualification. Australia, France, and New Zealand, are the only teams to have completed in every tournament. England has also participate in every tournament but competed as Great Britain prior to 1995 with the exception of 1975.

Team France
1954		 Australia
1957		 United Kingdom
1960		 AustraliaNew Zealand
1968		 United Kingdom
1970		 France
1972		 AustraliaFranceNew ZealandUnited Kingdom
1975		 AustraliaNew Zealand
1977		 1985–1988 1989–1992 England
1995		 EnglandIrelandFranceScotlandWales
2000		 Australia
2008		 EnglandWales
2013		 AustraliaNew ZealandPapua New Guinea
2017		 England
2021		 2026 Years
 Australia INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV AQ AQ AQ 17
 Cook Islands - - - - - - - - - - - INV DNQ INV DNQ Q TBD 3
 England - - - - - - INV - - - INV INV INV INV AQ AQ AQ 8a
 Fiji - - - - - - - - - - INV INV INV INV AQ AQ AQ 7
 France INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV AQ Q TBD 16
 Great Britain INV INV INV INV INV INV - INV INV INV - - - - - - - 9a
 Greece - - - - - - - - - - - - - - DNQ Q TBD 1
 Ireland - - - - - - - - - - - INV Q INV Q Q TBD 5a
 Italy - - - - - - - - - - - DNQ - Q Q Q TBD 13
 Jamaica - - - - - - - - - - - - - DNQ DNQ Q TBD 1
 Lebanon - - - - - - - - - - - Q DNQ DNQ Q AQ AQ 4
 Māori - - - - - - - - - - - INV - - - - TBD 1
 New Zealand INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV INV AQ AQ AQ 17
 Papua New Guinea - - - - - - - - INV INV INV INV INV INV AQ AQ AQ 9
 Russia - - - - - - - - - - - INV DNQ DNQ DNQ SUP SUP 1b
 Samoa - - - - - - - - - - INV INV Q INV AQ AQ AQ 7
 Scotland - - - - - - - - - - - INV Q INV AQ Q TBD 5a
 South Africa - - - - - - - - - - INV INV DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ TBD 2
 Tonga - - - - - - - - - - INV INV Q INV Q AQ AQ 7
 United States - - - - - - - - - - - DNQ DNQ Q Q DNQ TBD 2c
 Wales - - - - - - INV - - - INV INV DNQ INV Q Q TBD 6a
Total444444545510161014141610
Legend
  •    = Hosts
  • INV = Invited
  • AQ = Automatically Qualified
  • Q = Qualified
  • DNQ = Did not qualify
  • - = Did not participate or was not invited
  • SUP = Suspended

a Competed as Great Britain in nine previous tournaments. The squads largely consisted of English players, but also featured Welsh players in every tournament. Scotland (1954, 1968, 1977, 1989–92), and Ireland (1957) were represented by native-born players in some tournaments.
b After the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russia has been banned from all international tournaments.
c The United States was invited to the 1954 World Cup, but later canceled their invitation.

Participation

The following table shows the number of years each team has completed in both the qualifiers and final tournament. Bold inducates teams automatically qualified or were invited to participate.

Team Qualifiers Finals
 Canada 3 (2000, 2017, 2021) 0
 Chile 1 (2021) 0
 Cook Islands 3 (2008, 2017, 2021) 2 (2000, 2013)
 Fiji 1 (2008) 6 (1995, 2000, 2008, 2013, 2017, 2021)
 France 1 (2021) 16 (1954, 1957, 1960, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1975, 1977, 1985–88, 1989–92, 1995, 2000, 2008, 2013, 2017, 2021)
 Georgia 1 (2008) 0
 Greece 2 (2017, 2021) 1 (2021)
 Ireland 3 (2008, 2017, 2021) 5 (2000, 2008, 2013, 2017, 2021)
 Italy 4 (2000, 2013, 2017, 2021) 3 (2013, 2017, 2021)
 Jamaica 3 (2013, 2017, 2021) 1 (2021)
 Japan 2 (2000, 2008) 0
 Lebanon 4 (2000, 2008, 2013, 2017) 3 (2000, 2017, 2021)
 Malta 3 (2017, 2021) 0
 Morocco 1 (2000) 0
 Netherlands 1 (2008) 0
 Russia 4 (2008, 2013, 2017, 2021) 1 (2000)
 Samoa 1 (2008) 5 (2000, 2008, 2013, 2017, 2021)
 Scotland 2 (2008, 2021) 5 (2000, 2008, 2013, 2017, 2021)
 Serbia 4 (2008, 2013, 2017, 2021) 0
 South Africa 3 (2013, 2017, 2021) 2 (1995, 2000)
 Spain 2 (2017, 2021) 0
 Tonga 2 (2008, 2017) 6 (1995, 2000, 2008, 2013, 2017, 2021)
 Wales 3 (2008, 2017, 2021) 6 (1975, 1995, 2000, 2013, 2017, 2021)
 United States 5 (2000, 2008, 2013, 2017, 2021) 2 (2013, 2017)
 Ukraine 2 (2017, 2021) 0

Debuts

The following table shows which years teams made their qualification tournament debut. It doesn't not include teams that have previously qualified automatically or invited to participate.

Year Americas Asia-Pacific Europe Middle East-Africa Total
2000
England
France
Ireland
Scotland
Wales		  United States
 Canada
  Japan
  Italy
  Lebanon
 Morocco
 6
2008
Australia		  Cook Islands  Georgia
 Netherlands
 Serbia		 4
2013
England
Wales		  Jamaica
 1
2017
Australia
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea		  Greece
 Malta
 Spain
 Ukraine
 5
2021
England		  Chile 1
Total 4 2 7 2 15

See also

References

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