Australia to host 2026 World Cup

Australia beat Samao in the final at Old Trafford to win the World Cup in 2022

Australia will host the rearranged World Cup in 2026.

France was due to stage the tournament in 2025, but it withdrew last year after failing to get guaranteed backing from national and local government.

Australia will host the men's, women's and wheelchair World Cups in October and November 2026, with games also in Papua New Guinea.

Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) chairman Peter V'landys said it will be the most "culturally diverse World Cup ever staged" and will help "cement rugby league as the number one sport in the Pacific".

Last summer New Zealand said it would host the tournament in 2025, but governing body the International Rugby League (IRL) said it wanted to wait until 2026 to ensure it has the best chance of success.

IRL chairman Troy Grant said: "Rugby league has never been stronger in Australia and the Pacific, with sold-out stadiums, record television ratings and much excitement about Pacific expansion.

"The condensed format will mean every single match is competitive, while the possibility of some games being played as double- or triple-headers represents great value for fans wanting to see the best rugby league talent on the planet."

England hosted the most recent World Cup in 2022 after a 12-month postponement because of Covid-19.

The 2025 men's tournament was set to feature 16 teams, but it has been cut to 10 for 2026.

There will be eight teams in each of the women's and wheelchair tournaments.

Australia have won the men's tournament a record 12 times, including the past three editions.