An age‑old rivalry will bookend the Rugby League World Cup 2026, a move that the organisers say signals the sport’s growing global reach.
While the clash has long been a fixture in rugby league history, the 2026 tournament is still a proving ground for teams that are considered contenders rather than guaranteed winners.
Even with the expansion of the game into new markets, the competition remains fiercely contested, with no single side able to claim outright dominance.
The favourites for the 2026 World Cup are acknowledged as such, but the organisers stress that they are still just that – favourites, not assured champions.
The event will therefore showcase both the sport’s worldwide growth and the enduring excitement of its historic rivalries, as teams vie for the coveted title.
<small>Source: Sky Sports — read the original story there.</small>
