2026 Rugby League World Cup fixtures - October/November

gallagher said:
Is there a point in Lebanon being in the world cup? Is there money being spent there? Theyre just a token right?
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Making up the numbers with France and Cook islands. I dont mind it, adds a different flavour like when the US played in the sevens or when Namibia played in the cricket world cup, clearly no chance but novelty games. Something different.
 
Winston Churchill said:
Making up the numbers with France and Cook islands. I dont mind it, adds a different flavour like when the US played in the sevens or when Namibia played in the cricket world cup, clearly no chance but novelty games. Something different.
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I just feel that the game is invested, or can grow in France and the pacific islands. Lebanon belongs in the category of Canada
 
How did latu go? I saw about a third of the game and the tactics seemed for lolohea to be controlling the team, but when latu got the ball did he have good touches?
 
gallagher said:
Are we doing anything in Lebanon though? France have a competition there and a team in ESL. You can work on that.
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There's a comp, LRL
Teams like the Lycans, Wolves & Immortals always seem to be the main ones.

I think it's just for the fans...
The 2017 world cup had Italy and Jamaica.
 
gallagher said:
I just feel that the game is invested, or can grow in France and the pacific islands. Lebanon belongs in the category of Canada
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I hear what you're saying, but it's no different to Australia and its fans larping as a football powerhouse every time the Soccer World Cup rolls around. We've spent decades pumping money into the game, banging on about grassroots development and pretending we're on the verge of something special, only to turn up every four years and celebrate scraping out of the group stage like we've just won the bloody thing. Give us another thousand years and we'll probably still be calling a 2–1 loss to a decent side a heroic performance.

But maybe that's missing the point entirely. Not every country needs to be a genuine chance of winning the World Cup to deserve a place in it. Lebanon, and the other smaller rugby league nations might never lift the trophy, but they bring different cultures, passionate supporters, fresh rivalries and a bit of unpredictability.

I'd rather watch an underdog have a crack and occasionally get absolutely flogged than sit through the same tired, predictable handful of nations playing each other over and over again.

If the only countries worth inviting are the ones capable of winning it, or for their potential, we might as well scrap the World Cup and organise an annual Australia vs Penrith trial match.
 
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