Australia to open Rugby LeagueWorld Cup withblockbuster match-up

THE 2026 Rugby League World Cup fixtures have been confirmed, with Australia set to begin their title defence in a blockbuster match at Allianz Stadium.

In the game to be played on October 15, the World No.1 Kangaroos will take on the World No.2 Kiwis in Group A, which just might end up being a preview for the final.

In Australia’s other match-ups, they will face off against Fiji at Suncorp Stadium on October 25, before heading north to Townsville to play the Cook Islands on October 31

These make up three of 15 games played in the group stage, with 10 teams involved in next year’s edition, which will be held across Australia alongside Papua New Guinea playing two games at Port Moresby and New Zealand also to play a group match at Te Kaha Stadium in Christchurch, which is set to open at the start of 2026.

With the unique 10-team format, this will mean that while Group A teams such as Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and the Cook Islands will only play each other, groups B and C have a different outcome.

Both groups will still play three games, but they will only play against the opposite group.

For instance, England, who are drawn in Group B, will only play Group C opposition in Tonga, PNG and France.

Tonga, who is in Group C, will only play England, Samoa and Lebanon, who are all in Group B.

With this 10-team format, it means the winners of each group plus the runners-up in Group A will progress to the semi-finals.

The women’s competitions will start on October 16 with the Jillaroos taking on Samoa at CommBank Stadium.

Their format only has eight teams, which means that all sides will only play in their respective groups, with the winner and runners-up progressing to the semi-finals.

In Group A, it has Australia, England, Samoa and Wales drawn to do battle.

Group B consists of New Zealand, PNG, France and Fiji.

BY SEN