Rugby League World Cup: Date, schedule, teams, history & betting odds

The 2025 Rugby League World Cup is now just over two years away and the excitement will soon build for the tournament in France.

After the 2021 edition was delayed until 2022, it does not feel like we have long to wait for the next instalment of the Rugby League World Cup.

Australia will head into the tournament as the defending champions, while England will look to bounce back from their disappointing display under coach Shaun Wane.

Here's a rundown of all you need to know for the 2025 World Cup.

What	2025 Rugby League World Cup
Where	France
When	October 2025 - November 2025

When is the Rugby League World Cup?

The 2025 Rugby League World Cup is due to start in October 2025, and organisers have said they expect the tournament to conclude in mid-November.

For the first time ever, France will host four competitions - men, women, wheelchair and youth. In total, 128 matches are set to take place across 40 venues in five weeks.

Where is the Rugby League World Cup?

The 17th edition of the Rugby League World Cup will take place in France after their bid was deemed successful in January 2022.

After the U.S.A. lost the 2021 Rugby League World Cup bid to England, the Rugby League International Federation recommended that the United States and Canada host the next tournament.

However, financial concerns meant that the plan failed to come to fruition and France lodged a bid in July 2021.

Former French Prime Minister Jean Castex confirmed their bid was successful over 12 months ago and the plan is for 40 cities across the country to host games.

Can I watch the Rugby League World Cup?

With the World Cup still a long way off, no broadcasters have been confirmed.

The BBC provided coverage of the 2021 tournament and will no doubt be expected to bid for the rights once again, as will other rival broadcasters.

How many times has the Rugby League World Cup taken place?

The next tournament will be the 17th edition of the Rugby League World Cup, with the first event taking place all the way back in 1954.

It was Great Britain who won the first edition of the competition, beating hosts France 16-12 at the Parc des Princes in Paris.

There have only been three different nations to have been crowned world champions, with 12-time winners Australia the dominant force.

The Aussies have won the last three editions of the World Cup, beating Samoa 30-10 in the 2021 final.

Playing as a united Great Britain, GB won the title in 1954, 1960 and 1972, while New Zealand got their hands on the trophy on one occasion, in 2008.

Who are the favourites for the Rugby League World Cup?

There are no odds available for the tournament due to the fact it does not take place until 2025.

As the reigning champions and 12-time winners of the Rugby League World Cup, Australia will undoubtedly be the favourites to reclaim their crown.

Organisers have already confirmed that nine teams have already qualified for the event, and it would be a surprise to see New Zealand not listed as the second favourites.

England, Fiji, Lebanon, Tonga, Samoa and Papua New Guinea have already confirmed their place in the tournament in 2025.

Brazil, Canada, Jamaica and the United States will hope to qualify through the 2023 America Rugby League Championship, while the likes of Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales will fancy their chances of qualifying via the 2023 European Championship.

After reaching the final in 2022, Samoa will be one to watch in France and they will no doubt learn from the mistakes they made against Australia and try to bounce back at the next opportunity.