2025 Rugby League World Cup: Qualifying Paths for Men's, Women's, and Wheelchair Tournaments You Should Know Now

The International Rugby League has announced the qualification process for the 2025 Rugby League World Cup to be held in France. While eight quarter-finalists from the 2021 men's tournament and France as the host nation have automatically qualified, the remaining spots will be determined through regional qualifying tournaments. 

For the first time, the women's and wheelchair tournaments will also have a qualifying process, with up to 19 nations competing for the remaining spots.

Men's Rugby League World Cup Qualification

The 2025 Men's Rugby League World Cup will see 20 nations battling it out for the coveted trophy. 

Apart from the eight quarter-finalists and the host nation, 12 teams will compete in the European Championships A and B, while Brazil, Canada, Jamaica, and the United States will participate in the Americas Championship. 

The winner of the Middle East Africa Cup will enter the inter-regional repechage against the Cook Islands, with the winner of the repechage securing a spot in the World Cup.

Women's Rugby League World Cup Qualification

The women's tournament will feature eight quarter-finalists from the 2021 tournament and the Cook Islands, subject to development guidelines aimed at growing the women's game in their country. 

The remaining spots will be determined through regional qualifying tournaments in Asia-Pacific, Europe, Middle East Africa, and the Americas.

Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup Qualification

The Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup will see an expression of interest and an invitation process to determine the finalists for the tournament.

Exciting Opportunities for International Rugby League

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the international rugby league, but according to the International Rugby League chair, Troy Grant, this has also presented opportunities for growth. 

With qualifying tournaments set to take place across the globe, there will be enormous opportunities to continue the growth of the international rugby league.

The Road Ahead

With the qualification process set, the participating nations will now focus on building their teams and preparing for the tournament. 

Fans will be eagerly waiting for the 2025 Rugby League World Cup to witness the world's best rugby league players compete for the ultimate prize.

Highlights (2025 Rugby League World Cup)

The road to the 2025 Rugby League World Cup in France has been set, and rugby league fans all over the world can start looking forward to the exciting qualifying tournaments that are set to take place over the next few years.

The men's tournament will see 19 nations battle it out for the remaining seven spots, while the women's tournament will also have a qualifying process for the first time ever, with up to 19 nations vying for the eight remaining spots. 

The Wheelchair finalists, on the other hand, will be determined through an expression of interest and invitation process.

Summary

This is an excellent opportunity for the growth of the international rugby league, especially after the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The International Rugby League is committed to making sure that every region of the globe is represented at the tournament, and this has been reflected in the qualifying process that has been put in place.

The 2025 Rugby League World Cup promises to be an exciting and highly competitive event, and fans all over the world can look forward to cheering on their favourite teams as they battle it out for the ultimate prize. 

We can't wait to see who will emerge as the champions of the men's, women's and wheelchair tournaments.

Rugby League World Cup Tours PNG Kumuls and British Lions

THE Papua New Guinea Kumuls will compete in two major Rugby League International Federation-sanctioned challenges this year.

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Southern hemisphere general manager Jeremy Edwards was in the country yesterday to present the RLIF calendar highlighting the inaugural Oceania Cup and the British Lions tour, of which the Kumuls will be part.

Competing in the Oceania Cup are Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, PNG, and co-hosts Australia and New Zealand.

Australia, New Zealand and Tonga make up pool A while Samoa, Fiji and PNG occupy Pool B.

Pool A and Pool B will compete for a trophy and shield respectively.

The last-placed nation in pool A will be demoted to pool B and the first-placed side in pool B will be promoted to pool A.

“The exciting thing about this is to see the nations play for something that is meaningful and will start every mid-year,” Edwards said.

The Kumuls' first Oceania Cup fixture is against Samoa in Sydney on June 22 and the second against Fiji in Christchurch, New Zealand, on Nov 9.

The Kumuls as with similar mid-year Tests is set to feature mostly Australian based talent with players from the Hunters and Q-Cup as well as the NRL to be considered.

Head coach Michael Marum, pictured, as well as the PNGRFL, are yet to confirm whether players from the UK will be considered for the June international.

Meanwhile, the Lions tour will be held in New Zealand and PNG, with the Brits playing Tonga on Oct 26, New Zealand on Nov 2 and Nov 9, and the Kumuls in Port Moresby on Nov 16.

The PNG Orchids (women) will also get an opportunity to play an international test against a Pacific All-Stars side on Nov 16.

In attendance to witness the launch were New Zealand Rugby League chief executive Greg Peters, PNG Rugby Football League chairman Sandis Tsaka, Immigration and Border Security Minister Petrus Thomas and PNG Sports Foundation chief executive Peter Tsiamalili Jr.

Tsaka said more international fixtures would improve PNG’s ranking.

Fixtures – Oceania Cup:

Pool A – New Zealand v Tonga (at Mt Smart on June 22), Australia v New Zealand (in Wollongong on Oct 25), Australia v Tonga (at Eden Park on Nov 2);

Pool B – Samoa v PNG (in Sydney on June 22), Fiji v Samoa (at Eden Park on Nov 2), PNG v Fiji (in Christchurch on Nov 9)

Lions Tour:

Lions v Tonga (in Hamilton on Oct 26), Lions v New Zealand (at Eden Park on Nov 2), Lions v New Zealand (in Christchurch on Nov 9), Lions v PNG (in Port Moresby on Nov 16).