RLWC2026 countdown

[Foreign Legion]

what dies the article says???

 

[Foreign Legion]

https://x.com/sarugbyleague/status/1925895442115543278?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

 

[Coastbloke]

https://x.com/sarugbyleague/status/1925895442115543278?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

South Africa will probably have all domestic players and Cooks will stack their squad with NRL/NSW/QLD Cup players..

 

[siv]

Such a shame Cook Islands will qualify instead of South Africa, Jamaica Or France.

Cooks offer nothing and never will offer anything to the international game.

Its up to South Africa, France or Jamaica to prove they are better than the Cook Is

 

[Coastbloke]

Its up to South Africa, France or Jamaica to prove they are better than the Cook Is

True. But if France isn’t there at the Cup that is a travesty..

 

[RedVee]

Its up to South Africa, France or Jamaica to prove they are better than the Cook Is

Isn’t it each winner of SAf v Cooks & France v Jam ?

 

[Foreign Legion]

France and South Africa for me.

 

[wain]

Its up to South Africa, France or Jamaica to prove they are better than the Cook Is

easier said than done, when CI will be predominantly calling on australian-based professionals.

 

[Foreign Legion]

Lebanon shouldn't even be in the RLWC

 

[taste2taste]

Its up to South Africa, France or Jamaica to prove they are better than the Cook Is

Cooks will have a squad of heritage players that’ll blow the others off the park.

Thats the double edged sword of heritage teams, it’s great when they are genuine contenders like Samoa and Tonga but the cooks will never be at that level and they take a spot in the WC at the expense of a country where league desperatley needs a leg up.

 

[parrawentyfan]

Hence why she shouldn't be limiting the tournament to 10 teams. If France isn't there that will be a massive fail for the tournament. We should be doing everything possible to get France (and other European nations to be honest) as many competitive fixtures as possible.

 

[Coastbloke]

Lebanon shouldn't even be in the RLWC

Is their domestic comp still running?

 

[titoelcolombiano]

True. But if France isn’t there at the Cup that is a travesty..

Isn’t it each winner of SAf v Cooks & France v Jam ?

Yes

Cooks will have a squad of heritage players that’ll blow the others off the park.

Thats the double edged sword of heritage teams, it’s great when they are genuine contenders like Samoa and Tonga but the cooks will never be at that level and they take a spot in the WC at the expense of a country where league desperatley needs a leg up.

Hence why she shouldn't be limiting the tournament to 10 teams. If France isn't there that will be a massive fail for the tournament. We should be doing everything possible to get France (and other European nations to be honest) as many competitive fixtures as possible.

France doesn't have to miss out because of the Cook Islands, they just have to beat Jamaica and they are in. There are two spots available.

Cooks v South Africa
France v Jamaica

Winner of each gets a spot

 

[yakstorm]

Is their domestic comp still running?

The University competition was running as recently as April featuring American University of Beirut (AUB), Beirut Arab University (BAU) and University of Balamand (UOB). Pretty sure AUB claimed the title, though it may still be going.

 

[axe&smash&crush]

It think it could be an amazing tournament, more competitive that ever, less Mickey Mouse teams. However would be a major let down if France missed out, surely they will win a place in tournament?

hoping to watch some wheelchair rl too

 

[eels4lifee]

I reckon by Feb 2026 will have the full draw

 

[titoelcolombiano]

It think it could be an amazing tournament, more competitive that ever, less Mickey Mouse teams. However would be a major let down if France missed out, surely they will win a place in tournament?

hoping to watch some wheelchair rl too

Well, they will if they beat Jamaica, if they shit the bed and lose to Jamaica then they probably deserve to watch the tournament from home

 

[yakstorm]

Well, they will if they beat Jamaica, if they shit the bed and lose to Jamaica then they probably deserve to watch the tournament from home

Agree. They have been given all the advantages heading into the game, with home ground advantage plus the game being scheduled so they should have access to all their eligible pro players and off-field coaching staff like Trent Robinson.

I mean outside of Ashton Golding and Kieren Rush, I can't think of any other SL or NRL players Jamaica can call on.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Agree. They have been given all the advantages heading into the game, with home ground advantage plus the game being scheduled so they should have access to all their eligible pro players and off-field coaching staff like Trent Robinson.

I mean outside of Ashton Golding and Kieren Rush, I can't think of any other SL or NRL players Jamaica can call on.

Yep, I'd add Dom Young to that through his grandparents but even if he played France should win comfortably and if they don't serious change needs to occur at French RL HQ

 

[Billythekid]

Well, they will if they beat Jamaica, if they shit the bed and lose to Jamaica then they probably deserve to watch the tournament from home

No probably about it. If they can’t beat Jamaica at home it’s not like they’re going to win anything at the World Cup.