Women's World Series

[yakstorm]

The inaugural Women's World Series, which will decide the final entrant to the 2026 Women's World Cup, will be held in Canada according to the Fiji Sun.

Bulikula Eyes World Cup Spot

The Bulikula will play against Ireland, Canada and Nigeria in the World Series in October which will be the qualifying event; it will be in Canada....

fijisun.com.fj

Fiji Bulikula’s 2025 goal is to qualify for the Women’s Rugby League World Cup.

The national women’s rugby league side also hopes to be ranked in the top eight.

This is the target of head coach Josaia Rabele.

The Bulikula moved from 26th to 16 in the International Rugby League (IRL) ranking last year, which was a significant jump.

Rabele said it was great to see the Fi-jian women ranked higher than countries including Nigeria, Kenya and the Philippines.

The Bulikula will play against Ireland, Canada and Nigeria in the World Series in October which will be the qualifying event; it will be in Canada.

“Our major assignment this year is to win the World Series to qualify for the World Cup,” Rabele said.

“Only the teams have been confirmed but not the competition details.

“Our local players are on a break and will resume training on January 10 for our pre-season programme,” he added.

Rabele indicated Fiji National Rugby League (FNRL) also bided to host the world series which was won by Canada.

Chariman Akuila Masi said it would be costly as they hosted the Pacific Championship last October.

Meanwhile, Bulikula lost to Samoa, 12-16, in the World Cup qualifying match at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand on November 2, 2024.

Next year’s women’s RLWC will run in parallel with the men’s and wheelchair tournaments which will be hosted by Australia; Papua New Guinea will also host some matches.

Australia has held dominance for more than a decade to confirm their status as the best rugby league team in the world with World Cup success in 2013, 2017 and 2021.

 

[mikail-eagle]

Its official now.

Canada to host historic IRL Women's World Series

intrl.sport

Canada to host historic IRL Women's World Series​

Canada will host the inaugural IRL Women’s Rugby League World Series in October to determine the final berth at IRL Women’s Rugby League World Cup 2026.

The World Series will be contested by nations from the IRL’s four regions – Canada (Americas), Fiji (Asia-Pacific), Ireland (Europe) and Nigeria (Middle East & Africa) – after an extensive and historic qualifying process.

The tournament will be staged with the support of the City of Brampton, Ontario.

Canada will meet Fiji and Ireland will take on Nigeria in the semi-finals at Terry Fox Stadium, Brampton, on October 21, with the winners to meet in the final on October 26 at Lamport Stadium, Toronto, which was home to former UK Super League franchise Toronto Wolfpack.

 

[The Partisan]

From memory both Nigeria and Ireland wear predominantly green jerseys. Hopefully this clash can be sorted out pre game.

Wonder if Nigeria have any UK, French or Australasian heritage players to assist them in their bid to reach the World Cup?

 

[yakstorm]

Not going to lie, I'm quite disappointed that the World Series is not a round-robin style competition. A round-robin would at least mean each of the nations gets 3 games and eliminates the scenario where one nation gets an easier route to the final because they draw Nigeria (who don't have the advantages that Fiji, Ireland & Canada get).

From memory both Nigeria and Ireland wear predominantly green jerseys. Hopefully this clash can be sorted out pre game.

Nigeria's main kit is predominately black (even though their team is called the green falcons) so they should be alright.