# Rugby League World Cup 2026 Teams & Power Rankings

Ranked by Alphr's model power rating: points better or worse than an average World Cup side on a neutral ground.

| Rank | Nation | Pool | Coach | Power | Semi | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [Australia (Kangaroos)](https://alphr.com.au/rugby-league-world-cup/teams/australia) | Pool A | Kevin Walters | +23.9 | >99% | 83% |
| 2 | [New Zealand (Kiwis)](https://alphr.com.au/rugby-league-world-cup/teams/new-zealand) | Pool A | Stacey Jones | +15.3 | 95% | 12% |
| 3 | [England](https://alphr.com.au/rugby-league-world-cup/teams/england) | Pool B | Brian McDermott | +10.7 | 81% | 4% |
| 4 | [Tonga (Mate Ma'a Tonga)](https://alphr.com.au/rugby-league-world-cup/teams/tonga) | Pool C | Kristian Woolf | +4.7 | 39% | <1% |
| 5 | [Papua New Guinea (Kumuls)](https://alphr.com.au/rugby-league-world-cup/teams/papua-new-guinea) | Pool C | Jason Demetriou | -0.9 | 38% | <1% |
| 6 | [Samoa (Toa Samoa)](https://alphr.com.au/rugby-league-world-cup/teams/samoa) | Pool B | Ben Gardiner | -1.1 | 29% | <1% |
| 7 | [Fiji (Bati)](https://alphr.com.au/rugby-league-world-cup/teams/fiji) | Pool A | Mick Potter | -7.5 | 5% | <1% |
| 8 | [Lebanon (Cedars)](https://alphr.com.au/rugby-league-world-cup/teams/lebanon) | Pool B | Michael Cheika | -7.7 | 12% | 0% |
| 9 | [Cook Islands (Aitu)](https://alphr.com.au/rugby-league-world-cup/teams/cook-islands) | Pool A | Karmichael Hunt | -14.7 | <1% | 0% |
| 10 | [France](https://alphr.com.au/rugby-league-world-cup/teams/france) | Pool C | Laurent Frayssinous | -22.8 | <1% | 0% |

- **Australia (Kangaroos):** The Kangaroos are the defending champions and have won the Rugby League World Cup 12 times, including the last three: 2013, 2017 and the 2021 tournament played in 2022, when they beat Samoa 30-10 in the final at Old Trafford.
- **New Zealand (Kiwis):** The Kiwis won their only World Cup in 2008, beating Australia 34-20 in the final in Brisbane. At the 2021 tournament they lost the semi-final 16-14 to the Kangaroos.
- **England:** England reached the 2017 final and lost 6-0 to Australia in Brisbane. At the 2021 tournament they were beaten 27-26 in golden point by Samoa in the semi-final.
- **Tonga (Mate Ma'a Tonga):** Mate Ma'a Tonga beat New Zealand 28-22 in the 2017 pool stage and went on to the semi-final, where England edged them 20-18.
- **Papua New Guinea (Kumuls):** The Kumuls reached the quarter-finals in 2017 and 2021, losing both to England. In 2026 they play two pool games at home, at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.
- **Samoa (Toa Samoa):** Toa Samoa reached their first World Cup final at the 2021 tournament, beating England 27-26 in golden point in the semi-final before losing 30-10 to Australia.
- **Fiji (Bati):** The Bati reached the semi-finals in 2013 and 2017; in 2017 they knocked New Zealand out 4-2 in the quarter-final.
- **Lebanon (Cedars):** The Cedars reached the quarter-finals in 2017 and 2021; in 2017 they lost theirs 24-22 to Tonga. Michael Cheika coaches them in 2026.
- **Cook Islands (Aitu):** The Cook Islands Aitu are coached by Karmichael Hunt, and their squad includes Valentine Holmes, a World Cup winner with Australia in 2017 and 2021.
- **France:** Most of France's squad plays Super League for Catalans Dragons and Toulouse Olympique. In 2026 they meet Samoa, England and Lebanon in the combined Pool B and C table.

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Last updated: 2026-10-10 23:38 UTC (latest tip update)