Australian Kangaroos 2026 Rugby League World Cup Squad
The Australian Kangaroos have unveiled their 23-man squad for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, which will be played on home soil. Six uncapped players, including Bradman Best and Sam Walker, could debut. James Tedesco returns after a stellar club season, competing with Reece Walsh for the fullback spot, while Latrell Mitchell also comes back from injury. The absence of Nathan Cleary opens up selection in the halves, and Isaah Yeo will captain the squad, delaying surgery to lead Australia in pursuit of another title.
- Australia names 23-man squad for 2026 Rugby League World Cup, including six potential debutants.
- James Tedesco and Latrell Mitchell return; Isaah Yeo to captain despite pending surgery.
- Major selection battles loom, especially at fullback and in the halves.
Head Coach of the Australian Kangaroos Kevin Walters. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
Australian Kangaroos Squad Named for 2026 Rugby League World Cup
Australia have confirmed their 23-man squad for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, with six potential debutants named as the Kangaroos prepare to defend their title on home soil.
- Australian Kangaroos Squad Named for 2026 Rugby League World Cup
- Australian Kangaroos 2026 World Cup Squad
- Tedesco Back in the Kangaroos Squad
- Who Plays in the Halves for Australia?
- Six Players in Line for Kangaroos Debuts
- Latrell Mitchell Returns for Australia
- Isaah Yeo to Captain Australia
- Australia Rugby League World Cup Fixtures
Isaah Yeo will captain Kevin Walters' side, while newly crowned NRL premiership winner James Tedesco has earned a Kangaroos recall and will battle Reece Walsh for the No.1 jersey.
Bradman Best, Jack Bostock, Blayke Brailey, David Fifita, Jacob Preston and Sam Walker are the six uncapped players included in the squad.
Australia open their World Cup campaign against New Zealand at Allianz Stadium in Sydney on 15th October before facing Fiji in Brisbane and the Cook Islands in Townsville.
Australian Kangaroos 2026 World Cup Squad
| Player | Club |
|---|---|
| Bradman Best* | Newcastle Knights |
| Jack Bostock* | Dolphins |
| Blayke Brailey* | Cronulla Sharks |
| Patrick Carrigan | Brisbane Broncos |
| Lindsay Collins | Sydney Roosters |
| Reuben Cotter | North Queensland Cowboys |
| Tom Dearden | North Queensland Cowboys |
| Tino Fa'asuamaleaui | Gold Coast Titans |
| David Fifita* | South Sydney Rabbitohs |
| Harry Grant | Melbourne Storm |
| Keaon Koloamatangi | South Sydney Rabbitohs |
| Liam Martin | Penrith Panthers |
| Latrell Mitchell | South Sydney Rabbitohs |
| Mitchell Moses | Parramatta Eels |
| Cameron Munster | Melbourne Storm |
| Cameron Murray | South Sydney Rabbitohs |
| Jacob Preston* | Canterbury Bulldogs |
| Kotoni Staggs | Brisbane Broncos |
| James Tedesco | Sydney Roosters |
| Tom Trbojevic | Manly Sea Eagles |
| Sam Walker* | Sydney Roosters |
| Reece Walsh | Brisbane Broncos |
| Isaah Yeo (c) | Penrith Panthers |
*Potential Kangaroos debutant
Shadow players: Thomas Jenkins, Hamish Stewart, Ethan Strange.
Tedesco Back in the Kangaroos Squad
One of the biggest selection calls comes at fullback, where Tedesco has forced his way back into the Australian squad following a huge finish to the season.
The Roosters captain capped off the year by winning the Clive Churchill Medal and leading Sydney to the NRL premiership, putting himself firmly back into the conversation for the Australian No.1 jersey.
He now faces competition from Walsh, while the versatility of Tom Trbojevic gives Walters another option at fullback if required.
It leaves Australia with an intriguing decision before the tournament opener against New Zealand, with Tedesco's experience and form going up against the attacking threat Walsh brings from the back.
Who Plays in the Halves for Australia?
Nathan Cleary's absence has also opened up one of the biggest selection battles in the Kangaroos side with Walters naming Cameron Munster, Mitchell Moses, Tom Dearden and potential debutant Sam Walker among his playmaking options.
Walker has been rewarded after returning from an ankle injury to help the Roosters win the premiership, while Moses and Dearden give Walters two established options at halfback.
Munster's international experience makes him a leading contender for the No.6 jersey, but Australia's final combination is far from settled heading into the opening game.
Six Players in Line for Kangaroos Debuts
There is plenty of new blood in the squad, with six players potentially making their Australian debuts during the tournament.
Best and Bostock add size and strike to the outside backs, while Sharks hooker Brailey has been rewarded with his opportunity after previously being part of the Australian setup without playing a Test.
Fifita returns to the international picture as a potential debutant following his move to South Sydney, while Bulldogs forward Preston has earned his first Kangaroos squad selection. Walker rounds out the group after playing a major role in the Roosters' premiership run.
Latrell Mitchell Returns for Australia
Latrell Mitchell is also back in green and gold after overcoming the nerve injury that kept him sidelined for three-and-a-half months during the NRL season.
Mitchell returned for South Sydney late in the campaign and has done enough to convince Walters he is ready for the World Cup. His last appearance for the Kangaroos came in the 2022 World Cup Final, when he scored twice as Australia defeated Samoa 30-10.
With Mitchell, Trbojevic, Best and Kotoni Staggs among the options available, Australia's centre battle will be another selection headache for Walters.
Isaah Yeo to Captain Australia
Yeo will lead the Kangaroos despite requiring surgery on his pectoral injury. The Penrith skipper has elected to delay the procedure until after the World Cup, a decision that could push his recovery into the beginning of the 2027 NRL season.
His presence provides Australia with an experienced leader through the middle alongside the likes of Patrick Carrigan, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Cameron Murray, Reuben Cotter and Liam Martin.
Australia Rugby League World Cup Fixtures
Australia have been drawn alongside New Zealand, Fiji and the Cook Islands for the group stage.
| Date | Fixture | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 15th October | Australia vs New Zealand | Allianz Stadium, Sydney |
| 25th October | Australia vs Fiji | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane |
| 31st October | Australia vs Cook Islands | Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville |
The opener against New Zealand immediately looms as Australia's biggest test of the group stage and could ultimately decide who finishes top of the pool.
The Kangaroos then have a ten-day break before facing Fiji in Brisbane, followed by their final group match against the Cook Islands in Townsville.
The 2026 Rugby League World Cup Final will be played in Brisbane on 15th November.
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