History and Winners

Is there a Rugby World Cup in 2026? The Rugby League World Cup 2026 vs the Rugby World Cup 2027 (union): dates, hosts, key rule differences and FAQ.

Every Rugby League World Cup winner by year since 1954, with runners-up, final scores and hosts, plus the women’s and wheelchair winners.

The Rugby League World Cup is one of the oldest World Cups in world sport, first played in France in 1954. Since then, it has survived cancellations, format changes and long gaps, and made a comeback every time. So how did it all begin, and how did it become the tournament fans know today? The…