WERE it not for their second straight quarter-final appearance four years ago securing them automatic qualification, Lebanon wouldn’t have even been eligible for this World Cup.
They didn’t play a match for three years following their 48-4 exit to Australia in Huddersfield, only returning last October for a 16-14 defeat to Italy in Sydney.
That inactivity was one of the reasons for Lebanon losing International Rugby League full-member status, but this tournament is a chance to get back on the map.
A long-term plan is at the forefront as they look to rebuild the domestic game in a country damaged by war after years of uncertainty.
Once again, they will rely heavily on Australian-based stars, as well as the nous of their biggest name – coach Michael Cheika.
Jacob Kiraz headlines 15 players with Lebanese heritage in the NRL, whilst Wigan’s Abbas Miski is a Super League winner.
KEY PLAYERS
TWO-TIME Super League winner Abbas Miski will play in the World Cup as one of only two European-based Lebanon players, despite not making a first-grade appearance this year.
After recovering from hamstring surgery, the 31-year-old was not included on Wigan Warriors’ salary cap, so played out the season in the reserves as he got himself back up to speed.
Manly Sea Eagles speedster Jason Saab missed out on the last World Cup through injury, but has been cleared to represent the Cedars this time around, while versatile Canterbury Bulldogs back Jacob Kiraz is so committed to the Cedar’s cause that he’s delaying his honeymoon and going straight from his wedding to the World Cup.
COACH
CROSS-CODE coach Michael Cheika stays on at the helm of the country of his parents’ birth.
However, the former Wallabies mentor, recently appointed head coach at New South Wales Waratahs, has a challenge on his hands if he is to guide the Cedars into knockout rugby once more in 2026.
SQUAD
Mohamed Alameddine (Parramatta Eels), Yehya Ayache (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Jalal Bazzaz (Shellharbour Stingrays), Alex Conti (Canterbury Bulldogs), Ibrahim El Labban (Wentworthville Magpies), Tony Francis (Gold Coast Titans), Tupou Francis (Brisbane Broncos), Michael Gabrael (Cronulla Sharks), Mikael Ibrahim (Gold Coast Titans), Moustafa Dirani (St Marys Saints), Jacob Kiraz (Canterbury Bulldogs), Abbas Miski (Wigan Warriors), Brad Morkos (St George Illawarra Dragons), Joseph Nohra (Parramatta Eels), Khaled Rajab (Newtown Jets), Jaxson Rahme (Sydney Roosters), Khalil Rahme (Newtown Jets), James Roumanos (Toulouse Olympique), Jason Saab (Manly Sea Eagles), Jordan Samrani (Parramatta Eels), Tony Sukkar (Wests Tigers), Charbel Tasipale (Newtown Jets), Alex Twal (Wests Tigers).
