Rugby League World Cup
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Poster
Established
1954 (72 years old)
First Recorded Event
Current Season
2026
Current Round
200
Sport
RugbyLocation
International
Gender
Male
TV Rights
15 Oct 
Description
The Rugby League World Cup is an international rugby league competition contested by senior men's national teams who each represent member nations of the International Rugby League who run and administer the tournament.
The tournament has been held with varying frequencies and formats throughout history, however is currently played every four years with a group and knockout structure in line with most other major sports competitions. The inaugural tournament was held in France in 1954, and was the first Rugby World Cup held for any form of rugby football. The idea of the tournament was first proposed in France in the 1930s with the intent to hold a tournament in 1931. A second failed attempt came in 1951.
The winners are awarded the Paul Barrière Trophy, named after Paul Barrière, the French Rugby League President of the 1940s and 1950s. Australia are the most successful team in the competition's history, winning the Paul Barrière Trophy twelve times, and appearing in every final bar 1954. Great Britain have the second highest number of titles with three, and New Zealand have also won the tournament once.
The latest edition of World Cup was the 2021 tournament held England and played in 2022 after being postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Australia are the tournament's current champions.
Seasons
2026
2021
2017
2013
2008
Teams
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