“One of the great things rugby league does is bring people together,” Toa Samoa head coach Ben Gardiner said.

That spirit will be on show when the 2026 Rugby League World Cup gets underway across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, with Pacific nations set to feature prominently across both the men's and women's tournaments.

The men's competition will feature the Cook Islands, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and New Zealand, while the women's tournament will see Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and New Zealand take the field.

Here are all the Pacific teams competing at RLWC 2026 and their named squads.

FIJI BATI

Fiji will face a tough Pool A campaign against the Cook Islands, Australia and New Zealand.

The Bati will be without star forwards Tui Kamikamica and Viliame Kikau, while fullback Jahream Bula is also unavailable. Apisai Koroisau is expected to take on a major leadership role for the side.

Fiji have reached the World Cup semi-finals three times, in 2008, 2013 and 2017.

Fiji Bati squad

Bayleigh Bentley-Hape
Waqa Blake
Kurt Donoghoe
Apenisa Driti
Kitione Kautoga
Elijah Keung
Apisai Koroisau
Josese Lanyon
Jordan Leiu
Joseph Litidamu
Kylan Mafoa
Taane Milne
Caleb Navale
Jimmy Ngutlik
Ronald Philitoga
Mitchell Prest
Emosi Ravosai
Jacob Saifiti
Solomone Saukuru
Sunia Turuva
Brandon Wakeham
Jordan Miller

COOK ISLANDS AITU

The Cook Islands qualified for the World Cup after beating South Africa and will face a huge challenge in Pool A against Australia, Fiji and New Zealand.

Former Kangaroo Valentine Holmes will make his World Cup debut for the Aitu, joining co-captains KL Iro and Marata Niukore.

The side also includes NRL grand finalists Rhys Dakin and Makahesi Makatoa, as well as Reuben Porter of St George Illawarra.

Head coach Karmichael Hunt has previously described the Aitu as "giant killers", and they will have the opportunity to prove themselves against three of the world's leading rugby league nations.

Cook Islands squad

Cameron Brown
Rhys Dakin
Glassie Glassie
Valentine Holmes
Esom Ioka
KL Iro
Chaev Kolone
Makahesi Makatoa
Esan Marsters
Amare Milford
Davvy Moale
K-CI Newton-Whare
Rua Ngatikaura
Marata Niukore
Pride Petterson-Robati
Reuben Porter
Reubenn Rennie
Brad Takairangi
Mason Teague
David Tuariki
Paul Ulberg
Delahia Wigmore
Maui Winitana-Patelesio

TOA SAMOA

Samoa returns to the World Cup after reaching the men's final in 2022.

Captain Junior Paulo will lead a squad featuring some of the biggest names in the NRL, including Stephen Crichton, Jarome Luai, Brian To'o and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.

Samoa will open its campaign against France before facing Papua New Guinea and Tonga.

Gardiner said the team would be playing for Samoans around the world.

“One of the great things rugby league does is bring people together,” Gardiner said.

“As we build towards our first World Cup game, we want to thank all Samoans around the world for their ongoing support.”

Toa Samoa squad

Shawn Blore
Anae Ulesese
Stephen Crichton
Sua Fa'alogo
Clayton Faulalo
Chanel Harris-Tavita
Benaiah Ioelu
Connelly Lemuelu
Spencer Leniu
Jarome Luai
Francis Manuleleua
Deine Mariner
Ata Mariota
Greg Marzhew
Jermaine McEwen
Francis Molo
Junior Paulo
Pasami Saulo
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Izack Tago
Jazz Tevaga
Brian To'o
Enari Tuala
Ronald Volkman

TONGA

Tonga heads into the World Cup with a squad packed with NRL experience, including Addin Fonua-Blake, Jason Taumalolo, Haumole Olakau'atu, Isaiya Katoa and Tyson Frizell.

The Mate Ma'a will face England, Lebanon and Samoa in Pool B.

The squad also includes three players from the 2026 NRL premiership-winning Sydney Roosters, Salesi Foketi, Siua Wong and Robert Toia.

Tonga squad

Addin Fonua-Blake
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
Demitric Vaimauga
Haumole Olakau'atu
Isaiya Katoa
Jason Taumalolo
Jojo Fifita
Talatau Amone
Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
Latu Fainu
Lehi Hopoate
Moeaki Fotuaika
Paul Alamoti
Robert Toia
Salesi Foketi
Sione Katoa
Siua Wong
Soni Luke
Stefano Utoikamanu
Taniela Paseka
Tolutau Koula
Tuimoala Lolohea
Tyson Frizell

PNG KUMULS

The host nation will be represented by the PNG Kumuls, who have drawn Lebanon, Samoa and England.

Papua New Guinea's squad features a mix of NRL, Super League, Queensland Cup and PNG Hunters experience.

The Kumuls will open their campaign against Lebanon in Port Moresby before facing Samoa and England.

One of the major omissions is South Sydney star Alex Johnston, who is unavailable through injury.

PNG Kumuls squad

Jack de Belin
Robert Derby
Dudley Dotoi
Josh Feledy
Finley Glare
Liam Horne
Edwin Ipape
Zev John
Epel Kapinias
Bailey Biondi-Odo
Zac Laybutt
Nene Macdonald
Rhyse Martin
Robert Mathias
Morea Morea Jnr
Luca Moretti
Sylvester Namo
Nixon Putt
Rodrick Tai
Valentine Richard
Gairo Voro
Sanny Wabo
Khaiya Waiembi

Shadow players

Alex Max
Kyle Laybutt
Jacob Taulani

NEW ZEALAND KIWIS

New Zealand have named a squad featuring a powerful forward pack and plenty of NRL experience.

The Kiwis will face Australia, the Cook Islands and Fiji during the pool stages.

New Zealand squad

Erin Clark
James Fisher-Harris
Dane Gagai
Jahrome Hughes
Jamayne Isaako
Keano Kini
Jacob Laban
Moses Leota
Jeremy Marshall-King
Te Maire Martin
Casey McLean
Ronaldo Mulitalo
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
Briton Nikora
Kodi Nikorima
Isaiah Papali'i
Kalyn Ponga
Scott Sorensen
Tanner Stowers-Smith
Joseph Tapine
Leo Thompson
Naufahu Whyte
Xavier Willison

PACIFIC WOMEN'S TEAMS

The Pacific presence continues in the women's Rugby League World Cup, with Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and New Zealand all represented.

PNG ORCHIDS

The PNG Orchids will be led by captain Elsie Albert and will face New Zealand, Fiji and France during the tournament.

The squad features a mix of established international players and emerging talent.

PNG Orchids squad

Elsie Albert
Emily Veivers
Essay Banu
India Seeto
Jafinda Sap
Jenny David
Mya Muller
Shellie Long
Venesa Nakas
Josephine Howard
Therese Aiton
Anika Butler
Cynthia Peters
Gemma Schnaubelt
Ua Ravu
Belinda Gwasamun
Fleur Ginn
Ivania Wong
Jasmine Joe
Mala Marx
Naomi Kelly
Relna Wuruki-Hosea
Tia Molo

FIJI BULIKULA

The Fiji Bulikula will make their mark on the women's World Cup, with the team named for a campaign against New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and France.

Fiji will open against New Zealand in Newcastle before facing Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby and France on the Gold Coast.

Fiji Bulikula squad

Leilani Ahsam
Teaghan Hartigan
Talei Holmes
Tamika Jones
Ebony Laing
Sienna Laing
Lorren Ieli
Losana Lutu
Tahlia Marshall
Ema Masi
Rory Muller
Sereana Naitokatoka
Tanina Naividi
Elizabeth Naleba
Aliti Namoce
Maria Paseka
Abigayle Sekitoga
Latisha Smythe
Cassie Staples
Naomi Tegu
Nanise Vakacavu
Isabella Waterman
Luisa Yaranamua

FETU SAMOA

Fetu Samoa will carry the Samoan flag in the women's tournament, with Annetta Nu'uausala named captain.

The squad features a strong mix of NRLW experience and emerging talent, including Amber Hall, Christian Pio, Evania Isa'ako, Ivana Lolesio and Taliah Fuimaono.

Fetu Samoa squad

Amber Hall
Annetta Nu'uausala
Christabelle Onesemo-Tuilaepa
Christian Pio
Destiny Mino-Sinapati
Evania Isa'ako
Evelyn Roberts
Fanua Rimoni
Freedom Crichton Ropati
Ivana Lolesio
Jasmine Fogavini
Jaydika Tafua
Jetaya Faifua
Laikha Clarke
Leilani Wilson
Mary Jane Taito
Mercedez Taulelei-Siala
Monica Tagoai
Pauline Pilia'e-Rasabale
Sarina Masaga
Taliah Fuimaono
Tavarna Papalii
Tyra Ekepati

KIWI FERNS

New Zealand will also be represented in the women's competition by the Kiwi Ferns.

The Kiwi Ferns will face Fiji, Papua New Guinea and France during the pool stages.

Kiwi Ferns squad

The Kiwi Ferns squad named for the tournament includes:

Brooke Anderson
Kaiyah Atai
Annessa Biddle
Brianna Clark
Georgia Hale
Mele Hufanga
Chantay Kiria-Ratu
Ivana Lauitiiti
Shannon Mato
Raecene McGregor
Shaniece Monschau
Apii Nicholls
Shanice Parker
Otesa Pule
Ashleigh Quinlan
Abigail Roache
Alexis Tauaneai
Trinity Tauaneai
Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa
Zahara Temara
Leianne Tufuga
Stacey Waaka
Tenika Willison

Pacific power on show

With Pacific nations represented across both competitions, RLWC26 will put the strength and depth of rugby league across the region firmly in the spotlight.

The men's tournament features the Cook Islands, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and New Zealand, while Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and New Zealand will compete in the women's tournament.

For teams such as Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, the Cook Islands and Papua New Guinea, the World Cup is another opportunity to challenge the traditional powerhouses of international rugby league and give Pacific fans plenty to get behind.

And with the men's and women's tournaments being played across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, the Pacific presence will be impossible to miss.