Australia Kangaroos Rugby League World Cup Squad 2026
Australia have won 12 of the 16 men’s Rugby League World Cups, and this time they’re defending the trophy on home soil.
So the big question for every Kangaroos fan is simple: who is in Kevin Walters’ squad to defend the title?
Australia have named their 23-man Kangaroos squad for the Rugby League World Cup 2026, led by captain Isaah Yeo, with six debutants including Sam Walker and Bradman Best.
The Kangaroos open the whole tournament against New Zealand at Allianz Stadium on Thursday 15 October, kicking off at 8:05pm Sydney time.
Below, you’ll find the full 23-man squad, the fullback and halves battles, every fixture with kick-off times, how to watch and where to get tickets.
We’ll keep this page updated with injuries and changes right up to kick-off, so it’s worth bookmarking.
Quick Answer: Kangaroos at RLWC 2026
- Captain: Isaah Yeo, delaying pectoral surgery to lead the side
- Coach: Kevin Walters
- Squad: 23 players named on 5 October 2026, plus 3 shadow players
- Group: Group A with New Zealand, Fiji and the Cook Islands
- First match: Australia v New Zealand, Thursday 15 October, Allianz Stadium, Sydney, 8:05pm
- World Cup titles: 12, including the last one in 2021
Australia’s 23-Man Squad for the Rugby League World Cup 2026
Kevin Walters named his 23-man squad on Monday 5 October 2026, ten days before the opener against New Zealand.
Six players are in line for their Kangaroos debut: Bradman Best, Jack Bostock, Blayke Brailey, David Fifita, Sam Walker and Jacob Preston.
Walters picked the squad with a selection panel that included Darren Lockyer, Cameron Smith, Boyd Cordner and Andrew Johns.
Here is every player in the official squad, with his NRL club.
Kangaroos Squad: Full Players List
Australia’s official Rugby League World Cup 2026 squad, named 5 October 2026.
| Player | Club | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Isaah Yeo (captain) | Penrith Panthers | |
| Bradman Best | Newcastle Knights | Debutant |
| Jack Bostock | Dolphins | Debutant |
| Blayke Brailey | Cronulla Sharks | Debutant |
| Pat Carrigan | Brisbane Broncos | |
| Lindsay Smith | Penrith Panthers | Replaced the injured Lindsay Collins |
| Reuben Cotter | North Queensland Cowboys | |
| Tom Dearden | North Queensland Cowboys | |
| Tino Fa’asuamaleaui | Gold Coast Titans | |
| David Fifita | South Sydney Rabbitohs | Debutant |
| Harry Grant | Melbourne Storm | |
| Keaon Koloamatangi | South Sydney Rabbitohs | |
| Liam Martin | Penrith Panthers | |
| Latrell Mitchell | South Sydney Rabbitohs | |
| Mitchell Moses | Parramatta Eels | |
| Cameron Munster | Melbourne Storm | |
| Cameron Murray | South Sydney Rabbitohs | |
| Jacob Preston | Canterbury Bulldogs | Debutant |
| Kotoni Staggs | Brisbane Broncos | |
| James Tedesco | Sydney Roosters | Back in the squad |
| Tom Trbojevic | Manly Sea Eagles | |
| Sam Walker | Sydney Roosters | Debutant |
| Reece Walsh | Brisbane Broncos |
The Fullback Battle: Walsh or Tedesco?
Walters named both Reece Walsh and Clive Churchill medallist James Tedesco, and he hasn’t said who is his first-choice fullback.
Dylan Edwards, who has a knee injury, missed out. Walters said he’s “really happy with the balance of the squad”.
The Halves: Four Players, Two Spots
With Nathan Cleary out injured, Sam Walker, Cameron Munster, Tom Dearden and Mitchell Moses will fight for the halves spots.
Walker has just won his first grand final with the Roosters, and now he could add a Kangaroos debut. See who else is out on our Rugby League World Cup 2026 injury list.
Two Stars Lost to Samoa
Payne Haas and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow have both played for Australia before, but they’ve committed to Samoa for this World Cup. Haas is now in serious doubt after finger surgery.
Read more on our Samoa rugby league World Cup squad page.
Australia Fixtures and Kick-off Times
| Date | Match | Stadium | Local time | UK time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 15 Oct | Australia v New Zealand | Allianz Stadium, Sydney | 8:05pm | 10:05am |
| Sun 25 Oct | Australia v Fiji | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane | 7:05pm | 9:05am |
| Sat 31 Oct | Australia v Cook Islands | Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville | 7:05pm | 9:05am |
For every other match, see our full RLWC 2026 schedule.
How Australia Can Reach the Semi-Finals
Australia are in Group A with New Zealand, Fiji and the Cook Islands. The top two teams reach the semi-finals.
New Zealand are the reigning Pacific Championship winners, so the opening match is likely to decide who tops the group.
Fiji are dangerous too. See their full list on our Fiji rugby league World Cup squad page.
Who Is Australia’s Coach?
Kevin Walters is the Kangaroos coach. He started with a 3-0 Ashes series sweep of England in 2025.
In May 2026, his contract was extended to June 2028, so he’ll lead Australia through the World Cup.
Walters previously coached Queensland to State of Origin series wins in 2016 and 2017, and Brisbane to the 2023 NRL Grand Final.
How to Watch the Kangaroos
- Australia: Free on the Seven Network and 7plus
- New Zealand: Sky Sport
- UK and Ireland: Premier Sports
For more countries, see our guide to watching RLWC 2026.
Tickets for Australia’s Matches
The opener against New Zealand is set to draw the biggest international rugby league crowd in Sydney for almost two decades.
Tickets start from $19 AUD. Our RLWC 2026 tickets guide shows where to buy safely.
Flying in from overseas? An Australia eSIM from Airalo keeps your phone working from the moment you land.
Australia’s World Cup Record
Australia are the most successful team in World Cup history, with 12 men’s titles.
They’re also the defending champions, after beating Samoa 30–10 in the 2021 final. See every result in our Rugby League World Cup winners list.
The Jillaroos: Australia’s Women’s Team
The Jillaroos, coached by Jess Skinner, are chasing a fourth straight Women’s World Cup title, with Isabelle Kelly named captain for the first time. They open against Samoa at CommBank Stadium on Friday 16 October. See all 23 players on our Jillaroos World Cup squad page.
Our Women’s Rugby League World Cup 2026 guide covers the full schedule.
Australia World Cup Squad: FAQ
Who is in Australia’s Rugby League World Cup 2026 squad?
Kevin Walters named a 23-man squad on 5 October 2026, led by captain Isaah Yeo, with six debutants and three shadow players.
Who is the Kangaroos coach?
Kevin Walters is the Kangaroos coach. His contract runs until June 2028.
When is Australia’s first World Cup match?
Australia play New Zealand on Thursday 15 October 2026 at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, kicking off at 8:05pm.
Who is Australia playing in the group stage?
Australia play New Zealand, Fiji and the Cook Islands in Group A.
How many World Cups have Australia won?
Australia have won 12 men’s Rugby League World Cups, more than any other nation.
Summary: Kangaroos at RLWC 2026
Australia start as defending champions and favourites, with a home crowd behind them.
The squad is named and the tournament opens with the Kiwis clash on 15 October.
We’ll update this page with any injuries or changes before kick-off.
Australia Squad Updates
- 5 October 2026: Kangaroos 23-man squad named, with six debutants and captain Isaah Yeo.
- Earlier: Page created before the squad announcement.
