2026 Women's Rugby League World Cup qualification

The 2026 Women's Rugby League World Cup qualification was announced on 15 December 2023. It featured four confederation qualification tournaments for each of the four International Rugby League confederations (Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and Middle East-Africa).

The winner of the Asia-Pacific tournament directly qualified for the World Cup, while the runner up qualified for the 2025 World Series — the tournament to determine the final World Cup qualification spot. The two group winners of Europe directly qualified for the World Cup, while the playoff winner of the two runners-up qualified for the 2025 World Series. The Confederations of Americas & Middle East-Africa did not feature any direct qualifications, with the respective winners qualifying for the 2025 World Series. The winner of the World Series secured the final qualification spot for the 2026 Women's Rugby League World Cup.[1][2]

Qualification was open to all full and affiliate member nations who did not receive automatic qualification from their results in the 2021 World Cup.

Qualified teams

Team Method of
qualification 		Date of
qualification 		Total
times
qualified 		Last
time
qualified 		Current
consecutive
appearances 		Previous best
performance
 England 2021 Group A winners 5 November 2022 4[a] 2021 4 Semi-finals (2008, 2013, 2017, 2021)
 Papua New Guinea 2021 Group A runners-up 5 November 2022 2 2021 2 Semi-finals (2021)
 Australia 2021 Group B winners 6 November 2022 6 2021 6 Winners (2013, 2017, 2021)
 New Zealand 2021 Group B runners-up 6 November 2022 6 2021 6 Winners (2000, 2003, 2008)
 Wales Europe Group A winners 22 June 2024 1[a] N/a 1 First appearance
 France Europe Group B winners 22 June 2024 5 2021 2 Semi-finals (2013)
 Samoa Asia-Pacific winners 2 November 2024 3 2008 1 Fifth-place (2003, 2008)
 Fiji World Series winners 29 October 2025 1 N/a 1 First appearance

Confederation tournaments

Americas

Americas qualification was intended to have been a four-way competition between Brazil, Canada, Jamaica and the US, with a semi-finals then final format based on IRL rankings, with the winner progressing to the 2025 World Series.[3]

In June 2024, Brazil withdrew from the tournament due to funding and logistical difficulties.[4]

Seeding and group draws

The original draw and schedule was announced 30 January 2024 and would have seen Canada play Jamaica and the US play Brazil in the semi-finals.[3]

Team Ranking
 Canada 7th
 Brazil 11th
 United States 16th
 Jamaica 22nd

The revised schedule saw Jamaica play USA in a single semi-final, with the winners playing Canada (who received a bye to the final) for the place in the World Series.[4] Canada played a friendly against the USA Pioneers in lieu of their semi-final match, with Jamaica also facing the Pioneers as a result of losing their semi-final as a curtain-raiser before the final.[4] Canada beat the Pioneers 80–0[5] and Jamaica beat the Pioneers 48–12.[6]


Semi-final

6 November 2024
19:00 ET (UTC-05:00)
Jamaica  0–44  United States
Report
 Tries: Fisch (2), A’au, Bailous (3), Black, Treco
Goals: Treco (6/8)
Team details
Jamaica Position United States
Name Number Number Name
Chevelle Clarke 1
FB
 1 Miranda Barnard
Shanice Stewart 2
WG
 2 Marcaya Bailous
Gianna Noble-Cunningham 3
CE
 3 Christine Sargent
Makeda Lewis 4
CE
 4 Cynthia Campbell
Veronica Blair 5
WG
 5 Haley Sheldon
Shanique Smith 6
SO
 6 Samantha Black
Aniya Smith 7
SH
 7 Courtney Treco
Else Royal 8
PR
 8 Narcisse Jordan
Alicia Richards 9
HK
 9 Nicole Fisch
Darcey Pryce 10
PF
 10 Kadie Sandford
Shoya Gordon 11
SR
 11 Rachael Bradley
Kaya-Jo Laing 12
SR
 12 Jeanna Beard
Tarja Richards 13
LF
 13 Esther Anderson
MacKayla McCalla 14
IN
 14 Tiara A'au
Kamoya Forrest 15
IN
 15 Ashley Mencke
Debisha Scarlett 16
IN
 16 Taylor White
Sherine Johnson 17
IN
 17 Robyn Oliveri
Andrew Dixon
Coach
 Sean Rutgerson


Final

9 November 2024
16:00 ET (UTC-05:00)
Canada  40–8  United States
Tries: Crowl (3), Sears, Choboter, Pakulis (2)
Goals: Franada (1/2), Sears (3/3), Aberg (2/2)
 Report
 Tries: Sheldon (2)
Goals: Treco (0/2)
Team details
Canada Position United States
Name Number Number Name
Lauren Mueller 1
FB
 1 Miranda Barnard
Brittany Jones 2
WG
 2 Marcya Baylous
Petra Woods 3
CE
 3 Cyndi Campbell
Candace Scholten 4
CE
 4 Christine Sargent
Andie Girard 5
WG
 5 Haley Sheldon
Dani Franada 6
SO
 6 Courtney Treco
Ale Lewis 7
SH
 7 Samantha Black
Sarah Maguire 8
PR
 8 Narcisse Jordan
Caitlin Sears 9
HK
 9 Nicole Fisch
Chantelle Crowl 10
PF
 10 Kadie Sandford
Gabrielle Hindley 11
SR
 11 Rachael Bradley
Maddy Aberg 12
SR
 12 Ashley Mencke
Megan Pakulis 13
LF
 13 Sara Esther Anderson
Natalie Tam 14
IN
 14 Tiara A'au
Rachel Choboter 15
IN
 15 Shamarica Scott
Tamisha Toussaint 16
IN
 16 Robyn Oliveri
Eleta Mitton 17
IN
 17 Taylor White
Mike Castle
Coach
 Sean Rutgerson


Asia-Pacific

The 2024 Women's Pacific Bowl acted as qualification for the World Cup. First place qualified for the World Cup, second place qualified for the 2025 World Series.

Seeding and group draws

The draw and schedule was announced 30 August 2024.[7][8]

Team Ranking
 Cook Islands 6th
 Tonga 14th
 Samoa 24th
 Fiji 26th


Semi-finals

19 October 2024
18:00 FJT (UTC+12:00)
Tonga  16–30  Samoa
Tries: 3
Hanisi  21'
Takapautolo  34'
Tauhalaliku  41'
Goals: 2
Paki 2/3  23', 42'
 1st: 10–20
2nd: 6–10
Report
 Tries: 5
Masaga  1', 31'
Lofipo  9'
Patea  28', 54'
Tui  65'
Goals: 3
Piliae-Rasabale 3/6  7 pen', 11', 56'
National Stadium, Suva
Attendance: 3,271
Referee: Todd Smith (Australia)
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler (Australia)
Touch judges: Chris Sutton (Australia)
Team details
Tonga Position Samoa
Name Number Number Name
Anaseini Malupo 1
FB
 1 Evania Pelite
Maatuleio Fotu-Moala 2
WG
 2 Mercedez Taulelei-Siala
Litia Fusi 3
CE
 3 Lindsay Tui
Kate Fallon 4
CE
 4 Sarina Masaga
Lavinia Tauhalaliku 5
WG
 5 Jessica Patea
Emmanita Paki 6
SO/FE
 6 Tavarna Papalii
Cassey Tohi-Hiku 7
SH/HB
 7 Pauline Piliae-Rasabale
Kalosipani Hopoate 8
PR
 8 Annetta Nu'uausala (c)
Jade Fonua 9
HK
 9 Destiny Brill
Tegan Dymock 10
PF
 10 Laikha Clarke
Manilita Takapautolo 11
SR
 11 Monalisa Soliola
Vanessa Foliaki (c) 12
SR
 12 Christian Pio
Natasha Penitani 13
LF/LK
 13 Sienna Lofipo
Filomina Hanisi 15
IN
 14 Jetaya Faifua
Dannii Perese 16
IN
 15 Simone Karpani
Paea Uilou 17
IN
 17 Pihuka Berryman-Duff
Seli Mailangi 19
IN
 18 Evah McEwen
Tatiana Finau 14
CS
 16 Jasmine Fogavini
Kelvin Wright
Coach
 Jamie Soward
26 October 2024
18:00 FJT (UTC+12:00)
Fiji  18–6  Cook Islands
Tries: 4
Naikore  21', 39', 60'
Holmes  17'
Goals: 1
Naikore  18'
Naitokatoka 0/1
Lutu 0/1
 1st: 10–6
2nd: 8–0
Report
 Tries: 1
Matua  9'
Goals: 1
Poko 1/1  10'
National Stadium, Suva
Attendance: 3,216
Referee: Peter Gough (Australia)
Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond (Australia)
Touch judges: Drew Oultram (Australia)
Team details
Fiji Position Cook Islands
Name Number Number Name
Cassie Staples 1
FB
 1 Kiana Takairangi (c)
Vitalina Naikore 4
WG
 2 Chantelle Holloway-Samuels
Sienna Laing 3
CE
 3 Tyler Birch
Taina Naividi 6
CE
 4 Kaiyah Atai
Abigayle Sekitoga 19
WG
 5 Kiarah Siauane
Luisa Yaranamua 17
SO/FE
 6 Charntay Poko
Losana Lutu 7
SH/HB
 7 Lydia Turua-Quedley
Ilisapeci Bari 2
PR
 8 Crystal Tamarua
Sereana Naitokatoka 9
HK
 9 Chelsea Makira
Aliti Namoce 15
PF
 10 April Ngatupuna
Nanise Vakacavu 11
SR
 11 Jazmon Tupou-Witchman
Latisha Smythe 12
SR
 12 Kerehitina Matua
Talei Holmes (c) 18
LF/LK
 13 Anneka Stephens
Anastasia Shum-Cottrell 14
IN
 14 Jodeci Joseph
Mere Kilawekana 20
IN
 15 Lavinia Kitai
Ema Rainima 21
IN
 18 Tahleisha Maeva
Teaghan Hartigan 25
IN
 19 Ryvrr-Lee Alo
Asenaca Diranuve 10
CS
 21 Chazmin Holloway-Samuels
Josaia Dakuitoga
Coach
 Rusty Matua


Final

2 November 2024
17:35 NZDT (UTC+13:00)
Samoa  16–12  Fiji
Tries: 3
Patea  18'
Nu'uausala  56', 67'
Goals: 2
Piliae-Rasabale 2/3  57', 69'
 1st: 4–12
2nd: 12–0
 Tries: 2
Laing  30'
Sekitoga  35'
Goals: 2
Naikore 2/2  32', 35'
Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
Attendance: TBA
Referee: Belinda Sharpe (Australia)
Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy (Australia)
Touch judges: Drew Oultram (Australia)
Team details
Samoa Position Fiji
Name Number Number Name
Evania Pelite 1
FB
 1 Cassie Staples
Mercedez Taulelei-Siala 2
WG
 4 Vitalina Naikore
Lindsay Tui 3
CE
 3 Sienna Laing
Sarina Masaga 4
CE
 6 Taina Naividi
Jessica Patea 5
WG
 19 Abigayle Sekitoga
Tavarna Papalii 6
SO/FE
 17 Luisa Yaranamua
Pauline Piliae-Rasabale 7
SH/HB
 5 Losana Lutu
Annetta Nu'uausala (c) 8
PR
 2 Ilisapeci Bari
Destiny Brill 9
HK
 9 Sereana Naitokatoka
Evah McEwen 17
PF
 12 Latisha Smythe
Monalisa Soliola 11
SR
 11 Nanise Vakacavu
Christian Pio 12
SR
 25 Teaghan Hartigan
Sienna Lofipo 13
LF/LK
 18 Talei Holmes (c)
Laikha Clarke 10
IN
 8 Sereana Maragi
Jetaya Faifua 14
IN
 14 Anastasia Shum-Cottrell
Simone Karpani 15
IN
 20 Mere Kilawekana
Pihuka Berryman-Duff 16
IN
 21 Rory Muller
Jasmine Fogavini 16
CS
 15 Ema Rainima
Jamie Soward
Coach
 Josaia Dakuitoga


Europe

Seven teams entered into the competition. The two lowest ranked teams, Italy and the Netherlands, played each other in a preliminary play-off match. The resulting six teams were split into two groups of three. The two group winning countries qualified for the World Cup, while the runners up in each group contested a play-off for a spot in the 2025 World Series.

Seeding and group draws

The draw for the groups was made on 17 January 2024, with fixtures confirmed on 7 February.[9][10] Teams were seeded in pairs (highest ranked with second ranked, third with fourth and fifth with sixth) based on their IRL ranking on the date of the draw with one team from each pair in each group.

Group A Group B
Team Rank Team Rank
 Wales 8th  France 5th
 Ireland 9th  Greece 10th
 Italy/
 Netherlands		 16th/
18th 		 Serbia 12th


Preliminary playoff

27 April 2024
15:00 CEST (UTC+02:00)
Italy  6–56  Netherlands
Tries: Severgnini
Goals: Antonia (1/1)
 1st: 6–20
2nd: 0–36
Report
 Tries: Gevers (3), Geerlings, Van Beukering, Berding, N. Kennedy (3), Blom, Van Diepen
Goals: Berding (4/8), Schouw (0/1),Geerlings (1/1), Van der Zwan (1/1)
Maurizio Quaggia Stadium, Mogliano Veneto
Referee: Nenad Zujic (Serbia)
Team details
Italy Position Netherlands
Name Number Number Name
Alessandra Menotti 1
FB
 1 Nicole Kennedy
Rwan Hassnien 2
WG
 2 Hiermons Monischa
Loide Agosta 3
CE
 3 Lisa Berding
Camilla Giacomazzo 4
CE
 4 Paige Schouw
Lillian Bremang 5
WG
 5 Hannah Van Beukering
Martina Dall' Antonia 6
SO
 6 Hiske Blom
Valentina Virgili 7
SH
 7 Rixt Aerts
Giulia Iozzi 8
PR
 8 Sele Steenkist
Camilla Vio 9
HK
 9 Ver Van Der Zwan
Vanessa Bertini 10
PF
 10 Lorraine Voorbach
Silvis Gai 11
SR
 11 Linneke Gevers
Altea Forto 12
SR
 12 Sylvie Moelee
Marvin Severgnini 13
LF
 13 Kaylee Geerlings
Alissa Meinero 14
IN
 14 Claire Kennedy
Alice Botiaro 15
IN
 15 Dominique Velema
Ilenia Bollini 16
IN
 16 Dana Burik
Fabiola Tosetii 17
IN
 17 Stephanie Van Diepen
Alberto Suin
Coach
 Matt Rigby


Group stage

Group A
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1  Wales 2 2 0 0 76 16 +60 4 Qualify for 2026 World Cup
2  Ireland 2 1 0 1 26 40 −14 2 Advance to World Series play-off
3  Netherlands 2 0 0 2 18 64 −46 0
Source: ERL
27 April 2024
14:45 BST (UTC+01:00)
Wales  28–10  Ireland
Tries: Dainton (2), Taylor, Salter, Parker
Goals: Salter (4/5)
 1st: 18–4
2nd: 10–6
Report
 Tries: Tutty, Molloy
Goals: Cobain (1/3)
Cardiff University Sports Fields, Cardiff
Attendance: 300
Referee: Sam Jenkinson (England)
Team details
Wales Position Ireland
Name Number Number Name
Brittony Price 1
FB
 1 Cliodhna O'Sullivan
Georgia Taylor 2
WG
 2 Bettie Lambert
Ashlea Prescott 3
CE
 3 Molly Young
Kathryn Salter 4
CE
 4 Francessca Copley
Lucia Davies 5
WG
 5 Grace Tutty
Shaunni Davies 6
SO
 6 Holly O'Dwyer
Rhi Parker 7
SH
 7 Alex McGuinness
Amy Price 8
PR
 8 Mairead Quinn
Jasmine Gibbons 9
HK
 9 Niamh Griffin
Sara Jones 10
PF
 10 Rachel Morton
Hannah Jones 11
SR
 11 Storm Cobain
Charlie Mundy 12
SR
 12 Tricia Doyle
Bethan Dainton 13
LF
 13 Clodagh Dunne
Agnes Wood 14
IN
 14 Megan Preston
Katie Carr 15
IN
 15 Caoimhe Molloy
Ffion Jenkins 16
IN
 16 lydia Egan
Kim Boaler 17
IN
 17 Lisa Callen
Tom Brindle
Coach
 Matt Kennerson


19 May 2024
15:00 IST (UTC+01:00)
Ireland  16–12  Netherlands
Tries: Preston, Cobain (2)
Goals: Cobain (2/3)
 Report
 Tries: Van Der Zwan, N. Kennedy, J. Kennedy
Donnybrook Stadium, Dublin
Referee: Fabien Nicaud (France)
Team details
Ireland Position Netherlands
Name Number Number Name
Cliodhna O'Sullivan 1
FB
 1 Nicole Kennedy
Alice Fitzegerald 2
WG
 2 Monischa Hiermons
Francessca Copley 3
CE
 3 Claire Kennedy
Mollie Young 4
CE
 4 Linneke Gevers
Bettie Lambert 5
WG
 5 Hannah Van Beukering
Storm Cobain 6
SO
 6 Hiske Blom
Alex McGuinness 7
SH
 7 Rixt Aerts
Mairead Quinn 8
PR
 8 Sela Steenkist
Megan Preston 9
HK
 9 Vera Van Der Zwan
Clodagh Dunne 10
PF
 10 Lorraine Voorbach
Lisa Callan 11
SR
 11 Jessica Kennedy
Tricia Doyle 12
SR
 12 Sylvie Moelee
Caoimhe Molloy 13
LF
 13 Lisa Berding
Niamh Griffin 14
IN
 14 Paige Schouw
Rachel Morton 15
IN
 15 Iris Hansman
Aine Rutley 16
IN
 16 Dominique Velema
Stacy Hanley 17
IN
 17 Stephanie Van Diepen
CS
 18 Arijanna Van Der Kieft
Matt Jefferson
Coach
 Matt Rigby


22 June 2024
16:00 CEST (UTC+02:00)
Netherlands  6–48  Wales
Tries: Moelee
Goals: Geerlings (1/1)
 Report
 Tries: Burnell (2), Price, Gough-Walters (3), Salter, Wood, H Jones, Dainton
Goals: Salter (2/7), Burnell (2/3)
RC Waterland, Purmerend, Netherlands
Referee: Geoffrey Poumes (France)
Team details
Netherlands Position Wales
Name Number Number Name
Nicole Kennedy 1
FB
 1 Leanne Burnell
Monischa Hiermons 2
WG
 2 Megan Whittaker
Lisa Berding 3
CE
 3 Kathryn Salter
Linneke Gevers 4
CE
 4 Seren Gough-Walters
Hannah Van Beukering 5
WG
 5 Britonny Price
Rixt Aerts 6
SO
 6 Rhi Parker
Hiske Blom 7
SH
 7 Shaunni Davies
Sela Steenkist 8
PR
 8 Amy Price
Ver Van Der Zwan 9
HK
 9 Jasmine Gibbons
Lorraine Voorbach 10
PF
 10 Sara Jones
Carola Terlouw 11
SR
 11 Hannah Jones
Sylvie Moelee 12
SR
 12 Georgia Taylor
Kaylee Geerlings 13
LF
 13 Bethan Dainton
Dominique Velema 14
IN
 14 Agnes Wood
Claire Kennedy 15
IN
 15 Katie Carr
Kim Dekker 16
IN
 16 Gracie Hobbs
Iris Hansman 17
IN
 17 Ffion Jones
Matt Rigby
Coach
 Tom Brindle


Group B
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1  France 2 2 0 0 116 0 +116 4 Qualify for 2026 World Cup
2  Greece 2 1 0 1 32 62 −30 2 Advance to World Series play-off
3  Serbia 2 0 0 2 4 90 −86 0
Source: ERL
13 April 2024
16:00 CEST (UTC+02:00)
France  58–0  Greece
Tries: Song-Puche, Canal (4), Legout, Vilanove (3), Ramos, Himoudi (2)
Goals: Pommier (5/12)
 1st: 28–0
2nd: 30–0
Report
Stade Georges Dartiailh, Marmande
Attendance: 1,112
Referee: James Spencer (Ireland)
Team details
France Position Greece
Name Number Number Name
Manon Samarra 1
FB
 1 Magdelini Stavrianou
Margot Canal 2
WG
 2 Velissaria Koutsioumpa
Cristina Song-Puche 3
CE
 3 Dimitra Papoutsi
Amael Vilanove 4
CE
 4 Christina Macris
Chahrazad Himoudi 5
WG
 5 Sofia Anagnostopoulou
Justine Roses 6
SO
 6 Cleopatra Velmachou
Mahault Pommier 7
SH
 7 Asimina Mastoraki
Salomé Ségala 8
PR
 8 Marianna Chali,
Fanny Ramos 9
HK
 9 Chrysi Lymperidi
Leila Bessahli 10
PF
 10 Anna Limperi
Ines Legout 11
SR
 11 Maria-Eleni Gkirlemi
Stecy Bessiere 12
SR
 12 Myrsini Pappa
Dorine Samarra 13
LF
 13 Ourania Koutsikou
Helene Leclerc 14
IN
 14 Georgia-Fotini Koutsimpogeorgou
Pauline Noe 15
IN
 15 Ekaterini Varypati
Nabila Zaghdoudi 16
IN
 16 Maria-Anna Lamprou
Tallis Kuresa 17
IN
 17 Sofia-Margarita Kitsaneli
Romain Maillot
Coach
 Jim Minadakis


18 May 2024
17:00 EEST (UTC+03:00)
Greece  32–4  Serbia
Tries: Papoutsi (2), Lamprou (2), Koutsikou, Koutsimpogeorgou, Koutsioumpa
Goals: Pappa (2/4)
 Report
 Tries: Simic
Agios Dimitrios Stadium, Athens
Referee: James Jones (Wales)
Team details
Greece Position Serbia
Name Number Number Name
Kleopatra Velmachou 1
FB
 1 Tamara Bošnjak
Velissaria Koutsioumpa 2
WG
 2 Katarina Veljanovski
Dimitra Papoutsi 3
CE
 3 Teodora Micic
Christina Macris 4
CE
 4 Anastasija Karanovic
Magdelini Stavrianou 5
WG
 5 Jelena Stoiljković
Asimina Mastoraki 6
SO
 6 Natasa Kovacevic
Sofia-Margarita Kitsaneli 7
SH
 7 Lea Milosevic
Maria-Anna Lamprou 8
PR
 8 Marija Maslakovic
Chrysi Lymperidi 9
HK
 9 Karolina Blizanac
Marie Eleni Gkirlemi 10
PF
 10 Anna Liuter
Myrsini Pappa 11
SR
 11 Sanja Starcevic
Anna Limperi 12
SR
 12 Natalija Simic
Ourania Koutsikou 13
LF
 13 Cleopatra Carreno
Sofia Anagnostopoulou 14
IN
 14 Jovana Fridl
Marianna Chali 15
IN
 15 Uma Cengaj
Georgia-Fotini Koutsimpogeorgou 16
IN
 16 Nika Bajic
Sotiria Skouroliakou 17
IN
 17 Dunja Stojiljkovic
Jim Minadakis
Coach
 Slobodan Manak


22 June 2024
17:00 CEST (UTC+02:00)
Serbia  0–58  France
Report
 Tries: Monsarrat, Song-Puche (3), Kessely (2), Ramazeilles (2), Samarra, Roses
Goals: Diraison (9/10)
Stadium FC Srem Jakovo, Belgrade
Referee: Jarda Bzoch (Czech Republic)
Team details
Serbia Position France
Name Number Number Name
Tamara Bosnjak 1
FB
 1 Manon Samarra
Teodora Micic 2
WG
 2 Chahrazad Himoudi
Sanja Starcevic 3
CE
 3 Cristina Song-Puche
Marija Stojsic 4
CE
 4 Amael Vilanove
Anastasija Karanovic 5
WG
 5 Perle Ramazeilles
Ljiljana Bajic 6
SO
 6 Justine Roses
Katarina Veljanovski 7
SH
 7 Lisa Diraison
Natalija Simic 8
PR
 8 Haoua Kessely
Natasa Kovacevic 9
HK
 9 Mahault Pommier
Teodora Marin 10
PF
 10 Perrine Monsarrat
Mihaela Markicevic 11
SR
 11 Ines Legout
Anna Liuter 12
SR
 12 Dorine Samarra
Marija Maslakovic 13
LF
 13 Leila Bessahli
Marija Simovic 14
IN
 14 Noemie Samuel
Milica Cvijetanovic 15
IN
 15 Salome Segala
Nika Bajic 16
IN
 16 Pauline Noe
Uma Cengaj 17
IN
 17 Tallis Kuresa
Slobodan Manak
Coach
 Romain Maillot


World Series playoff

The IRL World Rankings were updated in July 2024 following the group stage of the European qualification tournament. This saw Greece move up one spot to ninth and Ireland drop one spot to tenth. As a result, Greece hosted the World Series playoff.[11]

12 October 2024
15:00 EEST (UTC+03:00)
Greece  6–42  Ireland
Tries: Lamprou
Goals: Pappa (1/1)
 Report
 Tries: Doyle, Fitzegerald, Molloy, O'Dwyer, Lambert (2), McGuinness, Tutty
Goals: Cobain (5/8)
Gkorytsa Stadium, Athens
Referee: T. Jones (England)
Team details
Greece Position Ireland
Name Number Number Name
Cleopatra Velmachou 1
FB
 1 Cliodhna O'Sullivan
Magdelini Stavrianou 2
WG
 2 Alice Fitzegerald
Dimitra Papoutsi 3
CE
 3 Holly O'Dwyer
Chrysi Lymperidi 4
CE
 4 Grace Tutty
Sotiria Skouroliakou 5
WG
 5 Bethany Lambert
Asimina Mastoraki 6
SO
 6 Jade Walker
Sophia Margarita Kitsaneli 7
SH
 7 Alex McGuinness
Ourania Koutsikou 8
PR
 8 Clodagh Dunne
Effie Skouroliakou 9
HK
 9 Polly Roberts
Maria-Eleni Gkirlemi 10
PF
 10 Stacy Hanley
Isaia Maragkou 11
SR
 11 Storm Cobain
Anais Dragoumis 12
SR
 12 Tricia Doyle
Myrsini Pappa 13
LF
 13 Iona McCusker
Sophia Anagnostopoulou 14
IN
 14 Anna Potterton
Triantafyllia Vasilogianni 15
IN
 15 Orlaith McAuliffe
Maria-Anna Lamprou 16
IN
 16 Caoimhe Molloy
Aimilia Kozari 17
IN
 17 Mairead Quinn
Jim Minadakis
Coach
 Matt Kennerson


Middle East-Africa

Kenya hosted Nigeria in a two match test series where the winner qualified for the 2025 World Series.[12]

The series saw each team win one match and the aggregate score was 22-all. Under the tournament rules the team with the highest aggregate scores would advance but with the aggregate scores tied, the result had to move to the next deciding criteria. The next deciding criteria was tries scored. Again this was tied with each having scored four. The next deciding criteria was number of goals kicked, which saw Nigeria advance to the World Series with a three to two goal advantage.[13]


19 September 2024
16:00 EAT (UTC+03:00)
Kenya  14–22  Nigeria
Tries: Amazimbi, Negesia (2)
Goals: Ochieng (1/3)
 report
 Tries: Aladegelu, Ukwuoma, Iliya (2)
Goals: Aladegelu (3/4)
National Youth Centre Organisation, Nairobi
Referee: Stephane Vincent (France)
Team details
Kenya Position Nigeria
Name Number Number Name
Lawnisky Munayi 1
FB
 1 Blessing Aladegelu
Moreen Atieno 2
WG
 2 Blessing Umude
Lovinah Mijere 3
CE
 3 Endurance Ukwuoma
Lewin Amazimbi 4
CE
 4 Lauretta Bayere
Merisha Negesia 5
WG
 5 Perpetua Nwanya
Diana Omosso 6
SO
 6 Rukayat Akinade
Ann Ochieng 7
SH
 7 Adaeze Innocent
Mercy Khatenje 8
PR
 8 Shukurat Nojimu
Milkah Chitechi 9
HK
 9 Rukayat Jimoh
Dorris Kimani 10
PF
 10 Chinaza Abbah
Sophye Nabwire 11
SR
 11 Muinat Oseni
Kerina Omala 12
SR
 12 Abiola Obazuaye
Angel Salamba 13
LF
 13 Rachel Iliya
Vivian Anyango 14
IN
 14 Becky Okitikpe
Susan Wangechi 15
IN
 15 Success Iyoha
Sharon Bosibori 16
IN
 16 Elizabeth Adie
Faith Oketch 17
IN
 17 Adaolisa Onyedikachi
Antonio Lombardo
Coach
 Bolu Fagborun
22 September 2024
16:00 EAT (UTC+03:00)
Kenya  8–0  Nigeria
Tries: Negesia
Goals: Omosso (1/4)
Drop goals: Omosso (2)
 report
Impala Club Rugby Ground, Nairobi
Referee: Stephane Vincent (France)
Team details
Kenya Position Nigeria
Name Number Number Name
Milkah Chitechi 1
FB
 1 Blessing Umude
Merisha Negesia 2
WG
 2 Becky Okitikpe
Susan Wangechi 3
CE
 3 Lauretta Bayere
Lewin Amazimbi 4
CE
 4 Success Iyoha
Lawnisky Munayi 5
WG
 5 Endurance Ukwuoma
Moreen Atieno 6
SO
 6 Blessing Aladegelu
Diana Omosso 7
SH
 7 Adaeze Innocent
Angel Salamba 8
PR
 8 Shukurat Nojimu
Faith Oketch 9
HK
 9 Rukayat Jimoh
Dorris Kimani 10
PF
 10 Chinaza Abbah
Kerina Omala 11
SR
 11 Oseni Muinat
Dorothy Mulela 12
SR
 12 Abiola Obazuaye
Lovinah Mijere 13
LF
 13 Rachel Iliya
Vivian Anyango 14
IN
 14 Rukayat Akinade
Sharon Bosibori 15
IN
 15 Perpetua Nwanna
Sophye Nabwire 16
IN
 16 Elizabeth Adie
Hesslah Khisa 17
IN
 17 Adaolisa Onyedikachi
Antonio Lombardo
Coach
 Bolu Fagborun


World Series

2025 Women's Rugby League World Series
Donald M. Gordon Chinguacousy Park will host the event
Number of teams4
Host country Canada
Winner Fiji
Matches played4

The 2025 Women's Rugby League World Series was the final qualification phase for 2026 Women's Rugby League World Cup.

The series was played by:

  •  Canada (Americas winner)
  •  Fiji (Asia-Pacific runner-up)
  •  Ireland (European group runners-up playoff winner)
  •  Nigeria (Middle East-Africa winners)

The winner qualified for the World Cup.

In March 2025, when announcing the tournament structure, Canada was also announced as the host nation.[14]

Draws

IRL Women's World Rankings
Official rankings as of December 2024
Rank Change Team Pts %
7 3  Ireland 19
9 1  Canada 17
16 10  Fiji 8
17 1  Nigeria 8

The draw for the competition was based on rank with 1st playing 4th and 2nd playing 3rd in the semi-finals.

Squads

Fixtures

Fixtures for the tournament were initially confirmed in March, and would see the two semi-finals in Brampton with the final in Toronto.[14] In July, the fixtures were revised to include a third-place playoff, and would see all four game played in Brampton. The third-place playoff had no bearing on World Cup qualification but did count for world ranking purposes.[23]


Semi-finals

21 October 2025
15:30 EDT (UTC-04:00)
Ireland  0–10  Nigeria
Report
 Tries: Omoghan, Iliya
Goals: Akhabue (0/1), Akeje (1/1)
Terry Fox Stadium, Brampton, Canada
Referee: Kemoy Whyte (Jamaica)
Team details
Ireland Position Nigeria
Name Number Number Name
Lily Rogan 1
FB
 1 Blessing Umude
Cliodhna O'Sullivan 2
WG
 2 Success Iyoha
Stephanie Carroll 3
CE
 3 Blessing Aladegelu
Mollie Young 4
CE
 4 Abiola Obazuaye
Aimee Clarke 5
WG
 5 Endurance Ukwuoma
Emma Kelly 6
SO
 6 Shondell Akhabue
Jade Walker 7
SH
 7 Innocent Adaeze
Sarah Scambary 8
PR
 8 Adeola King
Niamh Griffin 9
HK
 9 Becky Okitikpe
Aifric Ni Ghibne 10
PF
 10 Fedelia Omoghan
Tricia Doyle 11
SR
 11 Rachel Iliya
Storm Cobain 12
SR
 12 Vera Akhihiero-Pedro
Iona McCusker 13
LF
 13 Faustina Akeje
Polly Roberts 14
IN
 14 Chinaza Abbah
Jemma Gallagher 15
IN
 15 Lauretta Bayere
Stacy Hanley 16
IN
 16 Akinade Rukayat
Martha Dwyer 17
IN
 17 Danyelle Shobanjo
Anna Potterton 18
CS
Matt Kennerson
Coach
 Bolu Fagborun


21 October 2025
18:00 EDT (UTC-04:00)
Canada  0–48  Fiji
Report
 Tries: Staples, Marshall (2), Waterman (3), Laing, Paseka (3), Manu
Goals: Waterman (1/1), Yaranamu (2/9)
Terry Fox Stadium, Brampton, Canada
Referee: Tara Jones (England)
Team details
Canada Position Fiji
Name Number Number Name
Petra Woods 1
FB
 1 Cassie Staples
Lauren Mueller 2
WG
 2 Tahlia Marshall
Grace Campbell 3
CE
 3 Isabella Waterman
Maddy Aberg 4
CE
 4 Sienna Laing
Candace Scholten 5
WG
 5 Maria Paseka
Alayna Scramstad 6
SO/FE
 6 Sereana Naitokatoka
Danielle Franada 7
SH/HB
 7 Luisa Yaranamu
Sarah Maguire 8
PR
 8 Leilani Asham
Caitlin Sears 9
HK
 9 Teaghan Hartigan
Chantelle Crowl 10
PF
 10 Latisha Smythe
Gabrielle Hindley 11
SR
 11 Tanika Newton
Eleta Mitton 12
SR
 12 Elizabeth Naleba
Megan Pakulis 13
LF/LK
 13 Kelilani Manu
Alanna Fittes 14
IN
 14 Rory Muller
Rachel Choboter 15
IN
 15 Joy Levy
Ada Okonkwo 16
IN
 16 Ebony Laing
Rebecca Kochuk 17
IN
 17 Naomi Tegu
Beth Hoffstetter 18
CS
 18 Kinisalote Vusawa
Matt Barron
Coach
 Joe Dakuitoga


Third-place playoff

26 October 2025
13:30 EDT (UTC-04:00)
Ireland  6–36  Canada
Tries: Doyle 12'
Goals: Cobain (1/2)
 Report
 Tries: Pakulis 9'
Mitton 47'
Scholten 52', 75'
Mueller 60'
Campbell 62'
Goals: Aberg (2/2)
Sears (4/4)
Terry Fox Stadium, Brampton, Canada
Referee: Kemoy Whyte (Jamaica)
Team details
Ireland Position Canada
Name Number Number Name
Lily Rogan 1
FB
 1 Petra Woods
Lena Kibler 2
WG
 2 Lauren Mueller
Stephanie Carroll 3
CE
 3 Grace Campbell
Anna Potterton 4
CE
 4 Maddy Aberg
Mollie Young 5
WG
 5 Candace Scholten
Emma Kelly 6
SO
 6 Alayna Scramstad
Jade Walker 7
SH
 7 Danielle Franada
Sarah Scambary 8
PR
 8 Sarah Maguire
Polly Roberts 9
HK
 9 Caitlin Sears
Jemma Gallagher 10
PF
 10 Chantelle Crowl
Aifric Ni Ghibne 11
SR
 11 Gabrielle Hindley
Tricia Doyle 12
SR
 12 Beth Hoffstetter
Storm Cobain 13
LF
 13 Megan Pakulis
Iona McCusker 14
IN
 14 Alanna Fittes
Molly Boyne 15
IN
 15 Rachel Choboter
Stacy Hanley 16
IN
 16 Ada Okonkwo
Niamh Griffin 17
IN
 17 Eleta Mitton
Aimee Clarke (not used) 18
CS
 18 Maddie Hobson (not used)
Matt Kennerson
Coach
 Matt Baron


Final

26 October 2025
15:00 EDT (UTC-04:00)
Nigeria  4–62  Fiji
Tries: Iyoha 38'
 Report
 Tries: Paseka 8'
Asham 12', 43', 78'
Laing 14'
Staples 17',31',48',56'
Marshall 20'
Tegu 72'
Goals: Yaranamu (9/11)
Team details
Nigeria Position Fiji
Name Number Number Name
Blessing Aladeyelu 1
FB
 1 Cassie Staples
Success Iyoha 2
WG
 2 Tahlia Marshall
Abiola Obazuaye 3
CE
 3 Isabella Waterman
Siobhan Sheerin 4
CE
 4 Sienna Laing
Endurance Ukwuoma 5
WG
 5 Maria Paseka
Shondell Akhabue 6
SO/FE
 6 Sereana Naitokatoka
Innocent Adaeze 7
SH/HB
 7 Luisa Yaranamu
Adeola King 8
PR
 8 Leilani Asham
Becky Okitikpe 9
HK
 9 Teaghan Hartigan
Fedelia Omoghan 10
PF
 10 Latisha Smythe
Rachel Iliya 11
SR
 11 Tanika Newton
Vera Akhihiero-Pedro 12
SR
 12 Elizabeth Naleba
Faustina Akeje 13
LF/LK
 13 Kelilani Manu
Chinaza Abbah 14
IN
 14 Rory Muller
Lauretta Bayere 15
IN
 15 Joy Levy
Rukayat Akinade 16
IN
 16 Ebony Laing
Danyelle Shobanjo 17
IN
 17 Naomi Tegu
Aminah Olaniyan (not used) 18
CS
 18 Kinisalote Vusawa (not used)
Bolu Fagborun
Coach
 Joe Dakuitoga


Broadcasting

All four matches were streamed globally on CBC Sports YouTube channel.

Notes

  1. ^ a b Plus two as Great Britain

References

  1. ^ "Rugby League World Cup 2026 women's qualifying process announced". Rugby League International Federation.
  2. ^ "2026 Rugby League World Cup: Women's qualification process announced, with four nations' places already secured". LoveRugbyLeague. December 15, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Americas women's WC qualifiers announced". europeanrugbyleague.com. European Rugby League. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  4. ^ a b c "Americas RLWCQ draw revised after removal of Brazil". Rugby League International Federation. 17 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  5. ^ Neil Davidson (November 8, 2024). "Canada Ravens set to face U.S. Hawks in Women's Rugby League World Cup qualifier". Penticton Herald. The Canadian Press.
  6. ^ "Canada 40 8 United States". European Rugby League. 9 November 2024. Retrieved 9 November 2024.
  7. ^ "2024 Pacific Championships Draw Announced". NRL. NRL Media Release. 30 Aug 2024. Retrieved 30 Aug 2024.
  8. ^ Walter, Brad (30 Aug 2024). "Penitani primed for World Cup qualifiers with Tonga". NRL. Retrieved 30 Aug 2024.
  9. ^ "Celtic nations to face each otherin WC qualifying draw". European Rugby League. 17 January 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  10. ^ "Fixtures confirmed for women's WC European qualifiers". European Rugby League. 7 February 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  11. ^ "Women's European RLWC qualifying play off confirmed". European Rugby League. 9 August 2024. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  12. ^ "Details announced for MEA Women's World Cup qualifiers". European Rugby League. 21 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  13. ^ "Kenya 8 v 0 Nigeria". European Rugby League. 22 September 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  14. ^ a b "Canada to host historic IRL Women's World Series". Rugby League International Federation.
  15. ^ "IRL World Series 2025: Canada Ravens name extended squad". International Rugby League. 10 September 2025. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
  16. ^ "IRL World Series 2025: Canada Ravens finalise squad". International Rugby League. 14 October 2025. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  17. ^ "IRL World Series 2025: Fiji Bulikula name extended squad". International Rugby League. 19 September 2025. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  18. ^ "IRL World Series 2025: Fiji Bulikula name final squad". International Rugby League. 15 October 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  19. ^ "IRL World Series 2025: Ireland name extended squad". International Rugby League. 18 September 2025. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  20. ^ "IRL World Series 2025: Ireland name final squad". International Rugby League. 15 October 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  21. ^ "IRL World Series 2025: Nigeria name extended squad". International Rugby League. 12 September 2025. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  22. ^ "IRL World Series 2025: Nigeria name final squad". International Rugby League. 18 October 2025. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  23. ^ "IRL Women's World Series 2025: Venue and kick-off times confirmed". International Rugby League. 9 July 2025. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
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