Established in 1954, the Rugby League World Cup brings together the best players that the sport has to offer.
A total of 21 teams have competed at Rugby League World Cup tournaments since its inception, although only three sides have ever lifted the trophy.
Greece and Jamaica are the two most recent nations to debut in the tournament - having featured in the 2021 iteration - however there are no new teams scheduled to compete in the 2026 edition.
Australia are the most successful side in the competition's history, having won 12 of the 17 editions to date, including 11 of the last 13.
Samoa, who debuted at their first Rugby League World Cup in 1995, made their first appearance in the final in 2021, but ultimately lost to 30-10 to the imperious Kangaroos.
Rugby League World Cup previous winners
Year | Winners | Final Score | Runners Up |
1954 | Great Britain | 16-12 | France |
1957 | Australia | N/A | Great Britain |
1960 | Great Britain | N/A | Australia |
1968 | Australia | 20-2 | France |
1970 | Australia | 12-7 | Great Britain |
1972 | Great Britain | 10-10* | Australia |
1975 | Australia | N/A | England |
1977 | Australia | 13-12 | Great Britain |
1988 | Australia | 25-12 | New Zealand |
1992 | Australia | 10-6 | Great Britain |
1995 | Australia | 16-8 | England |
2000 | Australia | 40-12 | New Zealand |
2008 | New Zealand | 34-20 | Australia |
2013 | Australia | 34-2 | New Zealand |
2017 | Australia | 6-0 | England |
2021 | Australia | 30-10 | Samoa |
2026 | TBD | - | TBD |
*Great Britain awarded victory due to a win over Australia earlier in the competition.
Rugby League World Cup most titles
Team | Winners | Runners Up |
1. Australia | 13 | 3 |
2. Great Britain | 3 | 4 |
3. New Zealand | 1 | 3 |
4. England | 0 | 3 |
5. France | 0 | 2 |
6. Samoa | 0 | 1 |
