THE 2026 Rugby League World Cup gets underway on Thursday as international heavyweights Australia and New Zealand do battle in Sydney.
With just ten nations heading Down Under to take part in the men’s tournament, and only two from Europe, there are far fewer Super League representatives than at the previous World Cup.
However, there are still almost 50 participants from the northern hemisphere competition. Here is the total from each Super League club.
Toulouse Olympique – 10
Coming in at first place with the most representatives is Toulouse Olympique. Eight of those representatives have been called up by France: Lambert Belmas, Tiaki Chan, Louis Grossemy, Mathieu Jussaume, Thomas Lacans, Benjamin Laguerre, César Rougé and Roméo Tropis.
Meanwhile, Paul Ulberg will don the Cook Islands shirt and James Roumanos will play for Lebanon.
Wigan Warriors – 8
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Wigan Warriors are next with eight players, after seven were named in the England squad: Zach Eckersley, Ethan Havard, Junior Nsemba, Brad O’Neill, Harry Smith, Luke Thompson and Sam Walters.
There is also a sole representative in the Lebanon squad with winger Abbas Miski.
Catalans Dragons – 6
Like Toulouse Olympique, Catalans Dragons have a strong French contingent in the World Cup squad. Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet, Léo Darrélatour, Julian Bousquet, Romain Navarette, Ben Garcia, Alrix Da Costa are all in the French squad.
Hull KR – 5
Hull KR have five players across three nations with Mikey Lewis and Jez Litten given the nod for the England squad.
Jordan Dezaria and Arthur Mourgue have both been selected by France and the retiring Rhyse Martin will bow out for Papua New Guinea.
Huddersfield Giants – 3
Despite enduring a difficult Super League season, Huddersfield Giants still have three players – although two of them are on their way out – in the World Cup.
Taane Milne will represent Fiji, Mathieu Cozza France and Tui Lolohea Tonga.
Warrington Wolves – 3
Warrington Wolves have three players at the World Cup – and all three will be playing for England in Matty Ashton, Ben Currie and George Williams.
Bradford Bulls – 2
Another Super League side with two players, Bradford Bulls will have Esan Marsters representing Cook Islands and Waqa Blake doing the same for Fiji.
Hull FC – 2
Outgoing French internationals Amir Bourouh and Arthur Romano are Hull FC’s only representatives.
Leigh Leopards – 2
Leigh Leopards’ strong PNG contingent has been cut to just two with Edwin Ipape and Liam Horne earning call-ups. Lachlan Lam will miss the tournament with surgery on the horizon instead.
St Helens – 2
Only Jack Welsby has been called into the England squad, whilst Nene Macdonald will don the Papua New Guinea shirt.
Castleford Tigers – 1
It was a dismal season for Castleford Tigers, but they do have one player that will play in the World Cup with Semi Valemei wearing a Fiji shirt.
Wakefield Trinity – 1
It would have been much more had Wakefield Trinity and England quartet Mike McMeeken, Jake Trueman, Caleb Hamlin-Uele and Tom Johnstone not been scheduled in for operations. However, Wakefield’s only representative from their record-breaking Super League season will be Samoa’s Jazz Tevaga.
Leeds Rhinos – 0
Surprisingly, Leeds Rhinos have zero representatives. Ash Handley and Mikolaj Oledzki both withdrew from any England involvement whilst there were question marks over Jake Connor’s absence. Maika Sivo also missed out for Fiji through injury.
York Knights – 0
York Knights took most people by surprise in their first season ever in Super League, though they didn’t do enough to have any World Cup representatives. Justin Sangaré was in France’s training group but missed out on the final cut.
Championship
Meanwhile, only five players from the second tier are heading to the tournament, all five of them Papua New Guineas from London Broncos – Finley Glare, Epel Kapinias, Robert Mathias, Morea Morea and Gairo Voro. London’s coach, Jason Demtriou, is also leading the Kumuls.
