Lebanon Rugby League Next Game: World Cup 2026 Fixtures
When do Lebanon play next at the Rugby League World Cup 2026, and what time is it on in Beirut and Sydney?
The Cedars start their campaign in Papua New Guinea, one of the toughest places to play in the sport, before two big nights in Western Sydney.
Lebanon’s next game is against Papua New Guinea on Saturday 17 October 2026 in Port Moresby, kicking off at 2:25pm local time (3:25pm Sydney, 7:25am Lebanon, 5:25am UK).
After that, Lebanon play Tonga on 23 October and France on 1 November, both at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta.
Below, you’ll find every Lebanon fixture in Sydney, Lebanon and UK time, the TV channels, the team list and the race for the semi-finals.
We update this page after every match, so it always shows Lebanon’s next game and latest result first.
Quick Answer: Lebanon Rugby League Next Game
- Next game: PNG v Lebanon, Saturday 17 October 2026
- Kick-off: 2:25pm Port Moresby (3:25pm Sydney, 7:25am Lebanon, 5:25am UK)
- Venue: Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
- Watch: Seven and 7plus (Australia), Sky Sport (NZ), Premier Sports (UK)
- Opponents: Papua New Guinea, Tonga and France
- Last updated: 12 October 2026
When Is Lebanon’s Next Game?
Lebanon open their Rugby League World Cup 2026 against Papua New Guinea on Saturday 17 October, in Port Moresby.
It’s a double-header, with PNG’s Orchids playing France in the women’s World Cup earlier the same day.
Lebanon Rugby League World Cup 2026 Fixtures
| Date | Match | Venue | Sydney | Lebanon | UK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 17 Oct | PNG v Lebanon | Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby | 3:25pm | 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 in your time zone, see our Rugby League World Cup 2026 kick-off times guide.
What Time Is PNG vs Lebanon?
PNG vs Lebanon kicks off at 2:25pm Port Moresby time on Saturday 17 October. That’s 3:25pm in Sydney, 7:25am in Lebanon and 5:25am in the UK.
Port Moresby crowds are among the loudest in rugby league, so expect a huge test for the Cedars.
What Channel Is Lebanon Rugby League On?
- Australia: Free on the Seven Network and 7plus
- New Zealand: Sky Sport
- UK and Ireland: Premier Sports (subscription)
Flying to Port Moresby or Sydney for the Cedars? NordVPN keeps your home streaming account working and protects you on public Wi-Fi. (We may earn a commission.)
For other countries, see our guide to watching the Rugby League World Cup 2026.
Lebanon Team List v PNG
Lebanon’s team for the opener was named on Tuesday 13 October, with Alex Twal as captain. Here’s the official 17, as published on NRL.com.
| No. | Player | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacob Kiraz | Fullback |
| 2 | Tony Francis | Wing |
| 3 | Michael Gabrael | Centre |
| 4 | Jordan Samrani | Centre |
| 5 | Jason Saab | Wing |
| 6 | Khaled Rajab | Five-eighth |
| 7 | Alex Conti | Halfback |
| 8 | Jaxson Rahme | Prop |
| 9 | Yehya Ayache | Hooker |
| 10 | James Roumanos | Prop |
| 11 | Tony Sukkar | Second row |
| 12 | Charbel Tasipale | Second row |
| 13 | Alex Twal | Lock |
| 14 | Moustafa Dirani | Bench |
| 15 | Mikael Ibrahim | Bench |
| 16 | Jalal Bazzaz | Bench |
| 17 | Khalil Rahme | Bench |
Coaches can still make late changes, so the final 17 is confirmed shortly before kick-off.
See PNG’s team, and every other Round 1 side, on our Rugby League World Cup 2026 team lists page.
Lebanon Team 2026: The Big Selection Calls
Jacob Kiraz starts at fullback, with Jason Saab on the wing.
Khaled Rajab and Alex Conti form the halves, answering Michael Cheika’s biggest question.
Captain Alex Twal starts at lock, and James Roumanos brings Super League experience to the front row.
Jordan Samrani and Tony Sukkar make their Test debuts.
Lebanon Rugby League World Cup 2026 Squad
Michael Cheika named his 23-man squad on 7 October, led by Jacob Kiraz. Adam Doueihi misses out with a shoulder injury.
See every player and club on our Lebanon Cedars squad page, and check the injury list before each round.
Can Lebanon Reach the Rugby League World Cup 2026 Semi-Finals?
Lebanon are in Pool B, but they play the three Pool C teams: PNG, Tonga and France. The top two in the combined Pools B and C table reach the semi-finals.
A win in Port Moresby would be a huge start. Follow the table on our Rugby League World Cup results page, and see our Rugby League World Cup predictions.
Lebanon Rugby League World Cup 2026 Results
| Match | Result |
|---|---|
| PNG v Lebanon | 17 October, to be played |
| Tonga v Lebanon | 23 October, to be played |
| Lebanon v France | 1 November, to be played |
Lebanon Rugby League World Cup Tickets
Lebanon’s two Parramatta matches should draw big crowds from Western Sydney’s Lebanese community. Tickets start from $19 AUD on Ticketmaster.
The Port Moresby match is sold by a local PNG ticket seller. See our tickets guide, and pack a PNG eSIM from Airalo if you’re travelling.
Lebanon Rugby League Next Game: FAQ
When do Lebanon play next?
Lebanon play Papua New Guinea on Saturday 17 October 2026 in Port Moresby, kicking off at 2:25pm local time (7:25am in Lebanon).
Who do Lebanon play at the Rugby League World Cup 2026?
Papua New Guinea on 17 October, Tonga on 23 October and France on 1 November.
What time is PNG vs Lebanon in Lebanon?
7:25am Lebanon time on Saturday 17 October, which is 3:25pm in Sydney and 5:25am in the UK.
Where do Lebanon play their World Cup matches?
Their first match is in Port Moresby, and the games against Tonga and France are at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta.
Who is Lebanon’s rugby league coach?
Former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika coaches the Lebanon Cedars at the Rugby League World Cup 2026.
Conclusion
Lebanon’s World Cup starts against PNG in Port Moresby on 17 October, then Tonga and France in Parramatta.
Bookmark this page, because we update the next game, team news and results after every match.
Sizing up the opposition? See the PNG Kumuls squad and Tonga next game pages, and visit rlwc2026.com for official news.
Lebanon Schedule Updates
- 12 October 2026: Page published with Lebanon’s three pool fixtures, kick-off times and team news.
