Rugby League World Cup 2026 Captains: Every Team’s Captain
Who leads each team out at the Rugby League World Cup 2026, and who wears the armband for the big nations?
Ten men’s teams, eight women’s teams and eight wheelchair teams are chasing a world title, and every side has a captain.
Isaah Yeo captains the Kangaroos, James Fisher-Harris the Kiwis and George Williams England at the Rugby League World Cup 2026, while Isabelle Kelly leads the Jillaroos.
In the Pacific, Jason Taumalolo leads Tonga, Junior Paulo captains Samoa and Apisai Koroisau leads Fiji.
Some teams have also handed the armband to someone else for a single match. James Tedesco was named to captain Australia against Fiji, with Yeo rested.
Below, you’ll find every men’s, women’s and wheelchair captain in one place, with a closer look at the Kangaroos, Kiwis and England leaders.
Quick Answer: Rugby League World Cup 2026 Captains
- Kangaroos: Isaah Yeo
- Kiwis: James Fisher-Harris
- England: George Williams
- Tonga: Jason Taumalolo
- Samoa: Junior Paulo
- Jillaroos: Isabelle Kelly
Who Are the Rugby League World Cup 2026 Captains?
Here’s the captain of every men’s team at the Rugby League World Cup 2026.
| Team | Captain |
|---|---|
| Australia | Isaah Yeo |
| New Zealand | James Fisher-Harris |
| England | George Williams |
| Tonga | Jason Taumalolo |
| Samoa | Junior Paulo |
| Fiji | Apisai Koroisau |
| PNG | Rhyse Martin |
| Cook Islands | KL Iro and Marata Niukore (co-captains) |
| France | Benjamin Garcia |
| Lebanon | Alex Twal |
Most captains are forwards. Yeo, Fisher-Harris, Taumalolo, Paulo and Twal all play in the pack, while Koroisau is a hooker.
George Williams is the only halfback on the list, and KL Iro is the only centre.
The Cook Islands are the only men’s team with co-captains, as KL Iro and Marata Niukore share the job.
France skipper Benjamin Garcia moved from hooker to lock for Round 2, but he kept the armband.
Women’s Rugby League World Cup 2026 Captains
Here’s the captain of every team at the Women’s Rugby League World Cup 2026.
| Team | Captain |
|---|---|
| Australia | Isabelle Kelly |
| New Zealand | Georgia Hale and Raecene McGregor (co-captains) |
| England | Jodie Cunningham |
| Samoa | Annetta Nu’uausala |
| Wales | Bethan Dainton |
| PNG | Elsie Albert |
| France | Tallis Eranossian |
| Fiji | Sereana Naitokatoka |
Isabelle Kelly leads the Jillaroos, who have won the last three Women’s World Cups.
Jodie Cunningham is at her fourth World Cup as England captain, and the Kiwi Ferns share the job between Georgia Hale and Raecene McGregor.
Annetta Nu’uausala was named Samoa captain, but Evania Isa’ako led the side against Wales. France captain Tallis Eranossian was born in Auckland and moved to France at 15.
Wheelchair World Cup 2026 Captains
Three wheelchair captains have been confirmed for the World Cup in Wollongong.
Lewis King of London Roosters captains England, the defending champions. He also led England to a 4-0 tour of Australia in 2025.
Bayley McKenna captains Australia’s Wheelaroos on home soil, and Jayson Hooker leads New Zealand at their first-ever Wheelchair World Cup.
France, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and the USA have named their squads, but they haven’t publicly confirmed a captain. The tournament starts on 30 October.
Who Is the Kangaroos Captain?
Isaah Yeo is the Kangaroos captain at the Rugby League World Cup 2026.
The Penrith lock delayed pectoral surgery so he could lead Australia at a home World Cup.
Yeo was rested for the Round 2 game against Fiji, and James Tedesco was named captain for the first time since 2023.
Cameron Murray was named at lock in his place. See the full 23 in our Kangaroos World Cup squad guide.
Who Is the Kiwis Captain?
James Fisher-Harris is the Kiwis captain at the Rugby League World Cup 2026.
New Zealand Rugby League said he would lead the side again after a standout NRL season.
Raiders forward Joseph Tapine is his vice-captain, so both leaders come from the front row.
Their squad included new faces Kalyn Ponga and Dane Gagai, but Ponga was then ruled out with a broken arm.
The Kiwis lost 24-22 to Australia on opening night, and their Round 2 game is against the Cook Islands in Christchurch.
Who Is the England Rugby League Captain?
George Williams is England’s captain at the Rugby League World Cup 2026.
Coach Brian McDermott confirmed the Warrington halfback as captain, saying his leadership had been really good.
Williams had neck surgery in April 2026 and only returned to playing in August, so he did well to be fit in time.
England opened with a loss to Tonga, then met France in Perth in Round 2. See every coach in our Rugby League World Cup 2026 coaches guide.
Rugby League World Cup 2026 Captains: FAQ
Here are quick answers to the questions fans ask most about the World Cup captains.
Each answer starts with the key fact, so you can find it fast.
For the full lists, see the tables above.
Who is the Tonga rugby league captain?
Jason Taumalolo captains Tonga.
Coach Kristian Woolf calls him Tonga’s talismanic captain.
He switched from New Zealand to Tonga in 2017.
Who captains Samoa at the 2026 World Cup?
Junior Paulo captains Toa Samoa.
Annetta Nu’uausala was named Fetu Samoa captain.
Evania Isa’ako led Fetu Samoa against Wales.
Who is the Jillaroos captain?
Isabelle Kelly captains the Jillaroos.
She plays in the centres.
The Jillaroos are chasing a fourth straight title.
Who is the Lebanon rugby league captain?
Alex Twal captains Lebanon.
He qualifies through his mother’s side.
Michael Cheika is Lebanon’s coach.
Conclusion
Isaah Yeo, James Fisher-Harris and George Williams lead three of the big men’s teams at the Rugby League World Cup 2026.
Jason Taumalolo, Junior Paulo and Apisai Koroisau lead the Pacific challenge, while Isabelle Kelly captains the Jillaroos.
In the wheelchair event, Lewis King’s England start as champions. See every team in our Wheelchair World Cup guide.
Want our World Cup updates first? Add RLWC 2026 Guide as a preferred source on Google.
