Rugby League World Cup 2026: Predicted Australian squad, starting lineup for opening match against NZ originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Australia is set to unveil its final squad for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup on Monday, 5 October.

Led by head coach Kevin Walters it’s sure to be a powerful line-up as always. But with several key absences and intense competition certain to come from NRL-laden New Zealand, Samoa, England and Tonga squads, will it be strong enough to retain the trophy?

Hudson Young and Xavier Coates were already unavailable due to Achilles injuries while Kangaroos captain Isaah Yeo remains under a major fitness cloud due to a fully ruptured right pectoral muscle that will, at some stage, require surgery.

Adding to Kevin Walters’ woes Penrith stars Nathan Clearly (broken leg and foot) and Dylan Edwards (knee) are both facing extended recoveries after suffering serious injuries in the preliminary finals loss to Newcastle last Sunday. Warriors prop Jackson Ford (ankle) is another star set to be ruled out of consideration due to injury.

Ashes-winning Roosters duo Mark Nawaqanitawase and Angus Crichton are both off to rugby and will not be considered for selection, while incumbent Kangaroos winger Josh Addo-Carr is highly unlikely to feature due to off-field issues.

Walters is also sweating on a final availability call from Maroons Origin centre Robert Toia (also eligible for Tonga) while Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (also eligible for Samoa) is set to play for the Kangaroos.

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Predicted Australian 2026 Rugby League World Cup 24-Man Squad

1. James Tedesco (Roosters)
2. Selwyn Cobbo (Dolphins)
3. Latrell Mitchell (Rabbitohs)
4. Bradman Best (Knights)
5. Jack Bostock (Dolphins)
6. Cameron Munster (Storm)
7. Sam Walker (Roosters)
8. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (Titans)
9. Harry Grant (Storm)
10. Lindsay Collins (Roosters)
11. Liam Martin (Panthers)
12. Reuben Cotter (Cowboys)
13. Cameron Murray (Rabbitohs)

14. Blayke Brailey (Sharks)
15. Dylan Lucas (Knights)
16. Pat Carrigan (Broncos)
17. Max Plath (Dolphins)
18. Fletcher Sharpe (Knights)
19. Mitch Barnett (Warriors)

20. Dylan Edwards (Panthers)/Reece Walsh (Broncos)
21. Tom Dearden (Cowboys)
22. David Fifita (Rabbitohs)
23. Jermain McEwen (Knights)
24. Ethan Strange (Raiders)/Dane Gagai (Knights)

Who does Australia play at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup?

The Australian men’s team is drawn in Group A and begins its 2026 World Cup campaign against New Zealand on Thursday October 15 at Allianz Stadium in Sydney.

They will then play Fiji in Brisbane and the Cook Islands in Townsville in their remaining group matches.

Australia are the reigning World Cup champions having beaten Samoa 30-10 in the final of the 2022 tournament in England.