Australia Announce Rugby League World Cup Team

Australia Announce Rugby League World Cup Team – Four Pointer News Summary: 

• Australia have announced their 23-player squad for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.
• Six potential debutants feature: Bradman Best, Jack Bostock, Blayke Brailey, David Fifita, Sam Walker and Jacob Preston.
• The Kangaroos will face the Kiwis in Sydney, Fiji in Brisbane and the Cook Islands in Townsville.
• Penrith lock Issah Yeo has been named as captain. 

Kangaroos Squad Announced for Home World Cup

The Australian Rugby League Commission has confirmed the Kangaroos squad that will chase Rugby League World Cup glory on home soil. Penrith Panthers lock Isaah Yeo will lead the group.

The Kangaroos' pool fixtures are spread across three cities:

New Zealand in Sydney.

Fiji in Brisbane.

Cook Islands in Townsville.

ARLC Executive Chairman Peter V'landys AM said the tournament shapes as a tight contest.

"This will be the most open World Cup in some time," V'landys said. "This squad is full of exceptional players who are desperate to represent their country in a World Cup on home soil.

"The Kangaroos represent the most successful Rugby League team ever on the international stage, and this new group will continue an important legacy."

Six Potential Debutants Earn World Cup Call-Ups

The Kangaroos squad includes six players in line for their first Test appearance for Australia:

Bradman Best (Newcastle Knights)

Jack Bostock (Dolphins)

Blayke Brailey (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)

David Fifita (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

Sam Walker (Sydney Roosters)

Jacob Preston (Canterbury Bulldogs)

Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters said strong finals form had pushed several players into contention.

"A number of players have come into contention with brilliant Finals Series," Walters said. "I'm really happy with the balance of the squad. We have some real strike power and a significant amount of experience, along with size, power and speed."

Walters also pointed to the strength of rival nations ahead of the Rugby League World Cup.

"This will be a huge Test. I have never before seen the amount of talent spread across the top nations. We are going to need to be at our best to take out the World Cup."

Full 2026 Kangaroos World Cup Squad

The squad, listed alphabetically (* denotes debutant):

Bradman Best* (Newcastle Knights)

Jack Bostock* (Dolphins)

Blayke Brailey* (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)

Patrick Carrigan (Brisbane Broncos)

Lindsay Collins (Sydney Roosters)

Reuben Cotter (North Queensland Cowboys)

Tom Dearden (North Queensland Cowboys)

Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (Gold Coast Titans)

David Fifita* (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

Harry Grant (Melbourne Storm)

Keaon Koloamatangi (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

Liam Martin (Penrith Panthers)

Latrell Mitchell (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels)

Cameron Munster (Melbourne Storm)

Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

Jacob Preston* (Canterbury Bulldogs)

Kotoni Staggs (Brisbane Broncos)

James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters)

Tom Trbojevic (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)

Sam Walker* (Sydney Roosters)

Reece Walsh (Brisbane Broncos)

Isaah Yeo (captain) (Penrith Panthers)

Shadow players: Thomas Jenkins (Penrith Panthers), Hamish Stewart (St George Illawarra Dragons) and Ethan Strange (Canberra Raiders).

South Sydney and the Sydney Roosters have the most representatives. The Rabbitohs supply four players (Fifita, Koloamatangi, Mitchell and Murray). 

The Roosters supply three (Collins, Tedesco and Walker). The Broncos also have three selections (Carrigan, Staggs and Walsh).

Rugby League World Cup Broadcast Details

Every match will be broadcast live and exclusive in Australia on Seven and 7plus. Sky Sport will broadcast the tournament in New Zealand and Digicel in Papua New Guinea.

V'landys congratulated the selected players on behalf of the Commission.

"They will carry the pride and colours of their nation, and on behalf of the Commission I wish them all the best and congratulate them on reaching the pinnacle of the sport – a Kangaroos squad in a World Cup," he said.

With the Kangaroos squad now locked in, attention turns to the opening clash with the Kiwis in Sydney. Head to Sportsbet for the latest Rugby League World Cup markets.