France Rugby League World Cup Squad 2026
France founded the Rugby League World Cup back in 1954, and they’ve played at every single edition since.
This year, Les Bleus head to Australia with a squad that looks very different from the one that played in England in 2022.
France have named their 23-man squad for RLWC 2026: 19 of the players are from Super League, with Toulouse Olympique providing eight, more than any other club.
Coach Laurent Frayssinous trimmed his 40-man training squad on 1 October 2026, ahead of the opener against Samoa on 16 October.
Below, you’ll find the full squad list, the key players, every fixture in French and UK time, and how to watch.
We’ll keep this page updated with injuries and changes right up to kick-off, so it’s worth bookmarking.
Quick Answer: France at RLWC 2026
- Squad: 23 players, named on 1 October 2026
- Coach: Laurent Frayssinous
- Biggest club contingent: Toulouse Olympique (8 players)
- Opponents: Samoa, England and Lebanon
- First match: Samoa v France, Friday 16 October, CommBank Stadium, Parramatta (8:45am French time)
- Best World Cup result: Runners-up in 1954 and 1968
France’s 23-Man Squad for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup
Frayssinous cut his 40-man training squad down to 23 on 1 October. Here is every player and his club.
| Player | Club |
|---|---|
| Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet | Catalans Dragons |
| Julian Bousquet | Catalans Dragons |
| Alrix Da Costa | Catalans Dragons |
| Leo Darrelatour | Catalans Dragons |
| Benjamin Garcia | Catalans Dragons |
| Romain Navarrete | Catalans Dragons |
| Lambert Belmas | Toulouse Olympique |
| Tiaki Chan | Toulouse Olympique |
| Louis Grossemy | Toulouse Olympique |
| Mathieu Jussaume | Toulouse Olympique |
| Thomas Lacans | Toulouse Olympique |
| Benjamin Laguerre | Toulouse Olympique |
| Cesar Rouge | Toulouse Olympique |
| Romeo Tropis | Toulouse Olympique |
| Amir Bourouh | Hull FC |
| Arthur Romano | Hull FC |
| Jordan Dezaria | Hull KR |
| Arthur Mourgue | Hull KR |
| Mathieu Cozza | Huddersfield Giants |
| Joe Drodrolagi | AS Carcassonne |
| Theo Fages | Pia Donkeys |
| Fouad Yaha | Albi |
| Lattrell Siegwalt | South Sydney Rabbitohs |
Lattrell Siegwalt is the only NRL-based player, after eight games for South Sydney this season.
Who Missed Out?
Seventeen players from the 40-man training squad missed the cut, including Toulouse trio Anthony Marion, Maxime Stefani and Pierre-Jean Lima.
York’s Justin Sangare and Sydney Roosters youngster Enzo Griffier were also left out.
Key France Players to Watch
Benjamin Garcia
The Catalans forward is the most decorated player in the squad.
He is retiring, so this World Cup is his final chance to lead France on the biggest stage.
Mathieu Jussaume
The Toulouse second-rower earned a Super League Dream Team spot this season.
He headlines the eight Toulouse players who helped the club finish eighth in only its second Super League season.
Amir Bourouh
The Hull FC hooker was born in Huddersfield but qualifies for France through his Algerian and French heritage.
His selection was one of the biggest surprises of the squad.
Fouad Yaha
Catalans’ all-time leading try-scorer now plays for Albi, but his finishing makes him a key weapon on the wing.
France Fixtures and Kick-off Times
All three of France’s group games are early-morning kick-offs back home.
| Date | Match | Stadium | France time | UK time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 16 Oct | Samoa v France | CommBank Stadium, Parramatta | 8:45am | 7:45am |
| Sat 24 Oct | England v France | HBF Park, Perth | 8:35am | 7:35am |
| Sun 1 Nov | Lebanon v France | CommBank Stadium, Parramatta | 7:50am | 6:50am |
For every other match, see our full RLWC 2026 schedule.
How France Can Reach the Semi-Finals
France are in Group C, but they play the three Group B teams: Samoa, England and Lebanon.
All six teams go into one combined table, and only the top two reach the semi-finals.
Read up on their rivals on our Samoa and England squad pages.
Who Is France’s Coach?
Laurent Frayssinous coaches France. He has recently worked in the NRL and will join Catalans Dragons as an assistant coach in 2027.
He led France to qualification with a 36–0 win over Jamaica in Albi.
How to Watch France at the World Cup
- UK and Ireland: Premier Sports
- Australia: Free on the Seven Network and 7plus
- France: We’re confirming the French broadcaster and will add it here.
For more countries, see our guide to watching RLWC 2026.
France’s World Cup History
France hosted the first Rugby League World Cup in 1954, and the trophy is named after French administrator Paul Barrière.
Their best results are two runners-up finishes, in 1954 and 1968. See every result in our winners list.
France’s Women’s and Wheelchair Teams
France’s women are in Group B with New Zealand, Fiji and PNG. See our Women’s World Cup guide.
France’s wheelchair team are two-time world champions. Follow them in our Wheelchair World Cup guide.
France World Cup Squad: FAQ
Has France named its Rugby League World Cup 2026 squad?
Yes. France named their 23-man squad on 1 October 2026, with 19 Super League players.
Who is France’s rugby league coach?
Laurent Frayssinous is France’s head coach for the 2026 World Cup.
When is France’s first World Cup match?
France play Samoa on Friday 16 October 2026 at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta, at 8:45am French time.
Which club has the most players in the France squad?
Toulouse Olympique, with eight players. Catalans Dragons have six.
Have France ever won the Rugby League World Cup?
No. France’s best results are runners-up finishes in 1954 and 1968.
Summary: France at RLWC 2026
France travel with a Super League-heavy squad and a big Toulouse influence.
Their campaign starts against Samoa on 16 October. We’ll update this page with any squad changes.
France Squad Updates
- 1 October 2026: Page published with France’s 23-man World Cup squad.
