It’s official. Kevin Walters will lead the Kangaroos through the 2026 Rugby League World Cup and beyond.

The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) confirmed on Friday that they had signed Walters to a two-year extension.

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The former Broncos coach was heavily tipped to keep the job for the showcase tournament after leading Australia to a 3-0 Ashes win in the UK late last year.

Prior to that, Walters was essentially was heading to England on a trial basis, but a clean sweep made it near impossible for the ARLC to go another route.

“I was very impressed with the feedback from the Kangaroos players when they were surveyed, giving Kevin enormous praise as a coach and motivator,” chairman Peter V’landys said via an ARLC statement.

“Kevin did an outstanding job and I’m very pleased to announce him as the Kangaroos coach for the most important tournament in many years.”

This development means that Walters won’t be able to coach an NRL team until his Kangaroos contract ends in 2028.

He said the opportunity to coach the Kangaroos in a World Cup will be a “huge honour”.

“World Cups always provide the biggest challenges, and I’m looking forward to assembling a great, experienced staff and playing group to have a successful tournament,” Walters said.

“I’m very grateful for this opportunity. I never thought in my wildest dreams I’d be Kangaroos coach in a World Cup. It’s very humbling.”

The 2026 World Cup will begin on October 15 and will be held in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

Walters will oversee Australia’s participation in that tournament along with the Pacific Championships in 2027.

His contract will now run through to June 2028 at the earliest, opening the door for Ivan Cleary to still potentially take over should he see fit after he wraps up as Penrith Panthers coach.

Cleary revealed earlier in the week that he has ambitions to become a representative coach and while that could also mean taking up the NSW Blues coaching role should it become available, the same goes for the Kangaroos gig.

Originally published as Kangaroos make huge World Cup call and leave door open to Ivan Cleary