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Men’s Rugby League World Cup 2026: group-by-group preview

Australia and New Zealand are main contenders on home soil while pressure is straight on England in new formatThe Rugby League World Cup returns with a new format and a new feel this week, but in the men’s event there…

Published: Tuesday, 13 October 2026 at 7:00 AM
Men’s Rugby League World Cup 2026: group-by-group preview
Key Things to Know
  • The article previews the 10 teams competing in the revised Men's Rugby League World Cup 2026.
  • The tournament removes quarter-finals, sending only four total teams directly to the semi-finals.
  • The writer predicts New Zealand will win the title, edging defending champions Australia.
The Story in 60 Seconds

The Guardian previews the Men's Rugby League World Cup 2026, which features 10 teams competing under a revised tournament format. With the quarter-final stage removed, only four semi-final berths are available, with two advancing from Group A and two from a combined table of Groups B and C.

Writer Aaron Bower predicts New Zealand will win the tournament, tipping host nation Australia as runners-up due partly to Nathan Cleary's injury absence. England and Samoa are tipped to round out the semi-finalists under the new inter-group structure.

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