Lebanon Cedars Rugby League World Cup Squad 2026
Lebanon’s rugby league team was founded by Lebanese Australians in 1997, and it has grown into one of the World Cup’s great underdog stories.
At the last World Cup, the Cedars reached the quarter-finals, and fans want to know who will carry that pride into 2026.
Lebanon have named their 23-man squad for the Rugby League World Cup 2026, coached by Michael Cheika and led by Bulldogs star Jacob Kiraz, with Jason Saab set to debut.
Because of the war in Lebanon this year, the squad does not include any players based in the country itself.
Below, you’ll find the full 23-man squad, the key players, and every fixture with kick-off times in Sydney, Lebanon and the UK.
We’ll keep this page updated with injuries and changes before kick-off, so it’s worth bookmarking.
Quick Answer: Lebanon at the Rugby League World Cup 2026
- Squad: 23 players, named on 7 October 2026
- Coach: Michael Cheika
- Key players: Jacob Kiraz, Jason Saab, Alex Twal and Abbas Miski
- Missing: Mitchell Moses (playing for Australia) and Adam Doueihi (injured)
- First match: PNG v Lebanon, Saturday 17 October, Port Moresby, 2:25pm local time
- Best World Cup result: Quarter-finals in 2017 and 2021
Has Lebanon Named Its World Cup Squad?
Yes. Michael Cheika named his 23-man squad on 7 October 2026, the last of the 10 men’s teams to confirm.
Teenage Broncos forward Tupou Francis joins his brother Tony, and Wigan’s Abbas Miski adds Super League experience.
Lebanon Cedars’ 23-Man Squad for the Rugby League World Cup 2026
Here is every player in the official squad, with his club.
| Player | Club |
|---|---|
| Mohamed Alameddine | Parramatta Eels |
| Yehya Ayache | South Sydney Rabbitohs |
| Jalal Bazzaz | Shellharbour Stingrays |
| Alex Conti | Canterbury Bulldogs |
| Moustafa Dirani | St Marys Saints |
| Ibrahim El Labban | Wentworthville Magpies |
| Tony Francis | Gold Coast Titans |
| Tupou Francis | Brisbane Broncos |
| Michael Gabrael | Cronulla Sharks |
| Mikael Ibrahim | Gold Coast Titans |
| Jacob Kiraz | Canterbury Bulldogs |
| Abbas Miski | Wigan Warriors |
| Brad Morkos | St George Illawarra Dragons |
| Joseph Nohra | Parramatta Eels |
| Jaxson Rahme | Sydney Roosters |
| Khalil Rahme | Newtown Jets |
| Khaled Rajab | Newtown Jets |
| James Roumanos | Toulouse Olympique |
| Jason Saab (debut) | Manly Sea Eagles |
| Jordan Samrani | Parramatta Eels |
| Tony Sukkar | Wests Tigers |
| Charbel Tasipale | Newtown Jets |
| Alex Twal | Wests Tigers |
Mitchell Moses has switched to Australia, and Adam Doueihi misses out after shoulder reconstruction surgery.
Lebanon Fixtures and Kick-off Times
Lebanon start in Port Moresby before two big matches in Western Sydney, home to Australia’s largest Lebanese community.
| Date | Match | Stadium | Local time | Lebanon time | UK time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 17 Oct | PNG v Lebanon | Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby | 2:25pm | 7:25am | 5:25am |
| Fri 23 Oct | Tonga v Lebanon | CommBank Stadium, Parramatta | 8:05pm | 12:05pm | 10:05am |
| Sun 1 Nov | Lebanon v France | CommBank Stadium, Parramatta | 5:50pm | 8:50am | 6:50am |
For every other match, see our full RLWC 2026 schedule.
How Lebanon Can Reach the Semi-Finals
Lebanon are in Group B, but they play the three Group C teams: PNG, Tonga and France.
All six teams go into one combined table, and only the top two reach the semi-finals.
The final game against France could be decisive. See the new French squad on our France World Cup squad page.
Who Is Lebanon’s Coach?
Michael Cheika is the son of Lebanese migrants and one of the best-known coaches in world rugby.
He led Australia’s Wallabies to the 2015 Rugby Union World Cup final, and guided Lebanon to the rugby league quarter-finals in 2022.
He is currently also an assistant coach at the Sydney Roosters.
How to Watch Lebanon at the World Cup
- Australia: Free on the Seven Network and 7plus
- UK and Ireland: Premier Sports
- New Zealand: Sky Sport
For more countries, see our guide to watching RLWC 2026.
Tickets for Lebanon’s Matches
Lebanon’s two Parramatta matches are expected to draw big crowds from Western Sydney’s Lebanese community.
Tickets start from $19 AUD. Our RLWC 2026 tickets guide shows where to buy safely.
Lebanon’s World Cup History
Lebanon have played at three World Cups, in 2000, 2017 and 2021.
They reached the quarter-finals in 2017 and 2021, losing to eventual champions Australia last time. See every result in our winners list.
Lebanon World Cup Squad: FAQ
Has Lebanon named its Rugby League World Cup 2026 squad?
Yes. Michael Cheika named a 23-man squad on 7 October 2026, led by Bulldogs star Jacob Kiraz, with Jason Saab set to debut.
Who is Lebanon’s rugby league coach?
Michael Cheika, the former Wallabies coach, is Lebanon’s head coach for RLWC 2026.
Why won’t Lebanon’s squad include players from Lebanon?
Because of the 2026 war in Lebanon, the squad does not include any domestic-based players. All 23 play club rugby league in Australia, England or France.
When is Lebanon’s first World Cup match?
Lebanon play PNG on Saturday 17 October 2026 in Port Moresby, kicking off at 2:25pm local time.
What is Lebanon’s best World Cup result?
Quarter-finals, which Lebanon reached in both 2017 and 2021.
Conclusion
The Cedars head into the World Cup with Cheika in charge, Kiraz leading the way and Jason Saab set to debut.
Their campaign starts in Port Moresby on 17 October. Follow injury news on our Rugby League World Cup 2026 injury list.
Lebanon Squad Updates
- 7 October 2026: Lebanon’s 23-man squad named. Mitchell Moses has switched to Australia and Adam Doueihi is injured.
- Earlier: Page published before the squad announcement.
