The 2026 Rugby League World Cup begins on Thursday, with co-hosts Australia installed as heavy favourites at 4/5 with Unibet to win a record-extending 13th title. New Zealand are the main challengers at 7/2 with Coral, while Samoa (12/1, Boylesports), Tonga (16/1, 10Bet) and England (16/1, Unibet) are the only other nations priced under 20/1.
Tournament Favourites and History
The Kangaroos are the reigning champions and have won nine of the last 10 World Cups. Despite the injury to Nathan Cleary, Kevin Walters' side are expected to be formidable, particularly on home soil. Australia will stage the majority of matches in the 10-team tournament, which runs until November 15. New Zealand and Papua New Guinea are the other host nations.
Australia's dominance is reflected in their 80 per cent strike rate in recent tournaments. Only New Zealand have interrupted their run, winning the title in 2008. The 2021 tournament (played in 2022) saw Australia beat Samoa 30-10 in the final.
Pool Winner Odds and Format
The 2026 format is unusual. Pool A is a straight group of four (Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Cook Islands), with the top two advancing to the semi-finals. Pool B (England, Samoa, Lebanon) and Pool C (Tonga, Papua New Guinea, France) are linked: each team plays only the three teams in the other pool, and the top two from the combined B/C table advance. There is no quarter-final stage.
In Pool A, Australia are 4/6 with bet365 and New Zealand 5/4 with Unibet. In Pool B, Samoa are 4/6 with Betfred and England 7/4 with Spreadex. In Pool C, Tonga are 1/100 with Bet365. Two from Samoa, England and Tonga are expected to join Australia and New Zealand in the semi-finals.
Top Try Scorer Market
Australia's Tom Trbojevic leads the top try scorer market at 7/1 with Bet365. The Manly full-back scored eight tries in 14 games for the Sea Eagles last season and has gone over seven times in nine Tests for the Kangaroos. Jack Bostock (8/1, Betway) and Latrell Mitchell (11/1, Betfair) are among the other leading contenders.
Last tournament's winner, Australia's Josh Addo-Carr, scored 12 tries but will not play in 2026, leaving the market open. England's Dominic Young is an each-way price of 25/1 with Bet365; he scored nine tries in the 2021 tournament, finishing second behind Addo-Carr.
Popular Betting Markets and Responsible Gambling
Common rugby league betting markets include outright/tournament winner, top try scorer, pool winner, to reach the semi-final/final, match betting, handicap betting, total points over/under, first try scorer and anytime try scorer. Betfred is recommended for its welcome bonus and top prices, with Bet365 cited as a strong alternative for coverage and market spread.
Responsible gambling tools at bookmakers include deposit limits, betting limits, reality checks, time-outs and self-exclusion. Help is available 24 hours a day from GambleAware, GamCare, Gamblers Anonymous and NHS gambling support. The 2026 tournament runs from 15 October to 15 November.
