Rugby League World Cup

Rugby League World Cup

Upcoming tournament 2026 Men's Rugby League World Cup
Sport	Rugby league
Instituted	1954; 71 years ago (1954)
Number of teams	10 (from 2026 finals)
Region	International (IRL)
Holders	Australia (12th title)
Most titles	Australia (12 titles)
Website	rlwc2021.com
Related competition	Women's World Cup Wheelchair World Cup World Cup 9s

The Rugby League World Cup is an international rugby league competition contested by senior men's national teams who each represent member nations of the International Rugby League who run and administer the tournament.

The tournament has been held with varying frequencies and formats throughout history, however is currently played every four years with a group and knockout structure in line with most other major sports competitions.^[1] The inaugural tournament was held in France in 1954, and was the first Rugby World Cup held for any form of rugby football.^[2] The idea of the tournament was first proposed in France in the 1930s with the intent to hold a tournament in 1931. A second failed attempt came in 1951.^[3]

The winners are awarded the Paul Barrière Trophy, named after Paul Barrière, the French Rugby League President of the 1940s and 1950s. Australia are the most successful team in the competition's history, winning the Paul Barrière Trophy twelve times, and appearing every final bar 1954. Great Britain have the second highest number of win with three, and New Zealand have also won the tournament once.

The latest edition of World Cup was the 2021 tournament held England and played in 2022 after being postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Australia are the tournament's current champions.