Fiji Rugby League World Cup Squad 2026
Fiji have reached the Rugby League World Cup semi-finals three times, and they arrive in 2026 with one of their most talented squads yet.
So who has made the cut, and who could spring the next big upset?
Fiji have named their 23-man squad for the Rugby League World Cup 2026, coached by Mick Potter and led by NRL stars Apisai Koroisau, Sunia Turuva and Jacob Saifiti.
The Bati open against the Cook Islands in Newcastle on Sunday 18 October, in a tough group that also includes Australia and New Zealand.
Below, you’ll find the full squad with every player’s club, plus the key players to watch and every fixture with kick-off times in Fiji time.
We’ll keep this page updated with injuries and changes before kick-off, so check back.
Quick Answer: Fiji Bati at the Rugby League World Cup 2026
- Squad: 23 players, named on 5 October 2026
- Coach: Mick Potter
- Key players: Apisai Koroisau, Sunia Turuva and Jacob Saifiti
- Group: Group A with Australia, New Zealand and the Cook Islands
- First match: Fiji v Cook Islands, Sunday 18 October, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle, 5:05pm Fiji time
- Best World Cup result: Semi-finals in 2008, 2013 and 2017
Fiji Bati Squad for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup
Fiji named their final 23-man squad on 5 October 2026, cut down from a 40-man extended squad.
The squad includes three Super League players: Waqa Blake (Bradford), Semi Valemei (Castleford) and Taane Milne (Huddersfield).
| Player | Club |
|---|---|
| Bayleigh Bentley-Hape | South Sydney Rabbitohs |
| Waqa Blake | Bradford Bulls |
| Kurt Donoghoe | Dolphins |
| Apenisa Driti | Northern Pride |
| Kitione Kautoga | Parramatta Eels |
| Elijah Keung | South Sydney Rabbitohs |
| Apisai Koroisau | Wests Tigers |
| Josese Lanyon | Wests Tigers |
| Jordan Leiu | Norths Devils |
| Joseph Litidamu | Melbourne Storm |
| Kylan Mafoa | Manly Sea Eagles |
| Jordan Miller | Parramatta Eels |
| Taane Milne | Huddersfield Giants |
| Caleb Navale | Manly Sea Eagles |
| Jimmy Ngutlik | Mackay Cutters |
| Ronaldo Philitoga | North Queensland Cowboys |
| Mitchell Prest | Mackay Cutters |
| Emosi Ravosai | New Zealand Warriors |
| Jacob Saifiti | Newcastle Knights |
| Solomone Saukuru | Wests Tigers |
| Sunia Turuva | Wests Tigers |
| Semi Valemei | Castleford Tigers |
| Brandon Wakeham | Manly Sea Eagles |
Mitchell Prest of the Mackay Cutters is also in the squad, and he joins Warrington Wolves in 2027.
Key Fiji Players to Watch at RLWC 2026
Jacob Saifiti
The Newcastle Knights prop brings size and NRL experience to Fiji’s forward pack.
Apisai Koroisau
The experienced Wests Tigers hooker brings NRL premiership-winning experience to the middle of the field. His passing out of dummy-half and his game management will be vital against the big packs of Australia and New Zealand.
Taane Milne and Semi Valemei
The Super League pair add strike power in the backs, and Huddersfield’s Milne can also play in the back row.
Sunia Turuva and Brandon Wakeham
The Wests Tigers outside back and the Manly playmaker give Fiji speed and creativity in attack.
Who Missed Out on Fiji’s Squad?
Leeds Rhinos winger Maika Sivo misses out with an arm and shoulder injury, while Viliame Kikau, Jahream Bula and Jason Qareqare are not in the final 23.
The Fainu brothers couldn’t prove their Fijian heritage, and Latu Fainu now plays for Tonga. See the Tonga squad.
Fiji Fixtures and Kick-off Times (Fiji Time)
Fiji play all three of their group matches in Australia. Here are the kick-off times in Australia, Fiji and the UK.
| Date | Match | Stadium | Local time | Fiji time | UK time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 18 Oct | Fiji v Cook Islands | McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle | 4:05pm | 5:05pm | 6:05am |
| Sun 25 Oct | Australia v Fiji | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane | 7:05pm | 9:05pm | 9:05am |
| Sat 31 Oct | New Zealand v Fiji | Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast | 2:45pm | 4:45pm | 4:45am |
Two of these game days are multi-match events. On 18 October, the Fiji Bulikula also play New Zealand earlier in the day at the same stadium, and on 31 October the Gold Coast hosts a triple-header. For every other match, see our full RLWC 2026 schedule and fixtures.
Fiji’s Group: What the Bati Need to Qualify
Fiji are in Group A, often called the “group of death”, alongside defending champions Australia, New Zealand and the Cook Islands. Only the top two teams in Group A reach the semi-finals on 7 and 8 November.
Realistically, Fiji need to beat the Cook Islands and then cause an upset against either Australia or New Zealand. You can read more about every nation in our RLWC 2026 teams and groups guide.
Who Is Fiji’s Coach?
Mick Potter is Fiji’s head coach for the 2026 World Cup. It is his second stint in charge: Potter first coached the Bati in 2017, when Fiji famously beat New Zealand on the way to the World Cup semi-finals. He moved to Fiji in the lead-up to the tournament after his work visa was approved.
How to Watch Fiji at the World Cup
- Australia: Free on the Seven Network and 7plus
- New Zealand: Sky Sport
- UK and Ireland: Premier Sports (subscription)
- Fiji: We are confirming local TV coverage in Fiji and will add it here as soon as it is announced.
For other countries, see our guide to watching RLWC 2026.
Tickets for Fiji’s Matches
Tickets for Fiji’s group games start from $19 AUD for adults and $49 AUD for families. At McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle, Fiji fans have a dedicated supporters’ bay in Section 08. Our RLWC 2026 tickets guide explains where to buy safely and how to avoid scam sellers.
Fiji’s Rugby League World Cup History
Fiji’s best World Cup results are three semi-final appearances, in 2008, 2013 and 2017. At the last World Cup, played in England in 2022, the Bati reached the quarter-finals before losing to New Zealand. See the full story in our Rugby League World Cup history and winners list.
Fiji Bulikula: Fiji’s Women’s Team at the World Cup
2026 is a historic year for Fijian rugby league, because the Fiji Bulikula are playing at their first Women’s World Cup. They are coached by former Fiji international Joe Dakuitoga and play in Group B with New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and France.
- Sun 18 Oct: New Zealand v Fiji, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
- Sat 24 Oct: Papua New Guinea v Fiji, Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby
- Sat 31 Oct: Fiji v France, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Fiji World Cup Squad: Frequently Asked Questions
Who is in Fiji’s Rugby League World Cup squad?
Fiji named a 23-man squad on 5 October 2026, including Apisai Koroisau, Sunia Turuva, Jacob Saifiti and Kurt Donoghoe. Maika Sivo misses out with injury.
Who is Fiji’s rugby league coach?
Mick Potter is Fiji’s head coach for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup. He previously led the Bati to the 2017 World Cup semi-finals.
When is Fiji’s first World Cup match?
Fiji play the Cook Islands on Sunday 18 October 2026 at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle, kicking off at 4:05pm Sydney time, which is 5:05pm in Fiji.
What group is Fiji in at RLWC 2026?
Fiji are in Group A with Australia, New Zealand and the Cook Islands. The top two teams in the group qualify for the semi-finals.
Who is Fiji’s captain for the World Cup?
Fiji have not yet announced their captain for RLWC 2026. We will update this page as soon as the captain is confirmed.
Conclusion
The Fiji Bati head into the Rugby League World Cup 2026 with a 23-man squad built around NRL talent and three Super League players.
Their opener against the Cook Islands on 18 October is the big one, before the tough tests against Australia and New Zealand. Check every kick-off in our kick-off times guide.
Follow injury news on our injury list, and get official news at rlwc2026.com.
Fiji Squad Updates
- 5 October 2026: Fiji’s final 23-man squad named. Maika Sivo misses out with injury.
- September 2026: 40-man extended squad named.
