Every Rugby League World Cup qualification scenario: What every Week 3 game can change, predictions

Zero Tackle outlines the semi-final qualification scenarios ahead of the final group stage week at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup. In Group A, Australia has already secured the top spot and a semi-final berth by holding head-to-head tiebreakers over New Zealand and Fiji. New Zealand and Fiji will play in a direct knockout battle on October 31 to determine the second semi-final qualifier from their group.

In the combined Group B and C, Samoa and Tonga currently lead with four points each, while England and Papua New Guinea retain slim chances needing heavy margins and specific results. Writer Scott Pryde predicts that New Zealand and Australia will win their Group A games, while Tonga will beat Samoa, ultimately projecting semi-finals of Tonga against New Zealand and Australia against Samoa.