Australia has announced a 23-man squad for what Australian rugby league boss Peter V'Landys has described as "the most open World Cup in some time".
Of the 23 men, almost half - Pat Carrigan, Lindsay Collins, Reuben Cotter, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Harry Grant, Liam Martin, Latrell Mitchell, Cameron Munster, Cameron Murray, James Tedesco and captain Isaah Yeo - have been retained from the squad that led the Kangaroos to their 12th World Cup title in 2021.
Penrith superstar Nathan Cleary would have been a certain starter were it not for his dual injuries, as would have Grand Final winning teammates Angus Crichton and Mark Nawaqanitawase were it not for their decisions to switch to rugby union at the conclusion of the NRL season.
The squad also includes six potential debutants, with Roosters half Sam Walker first in line of the six to earn his maiden Australia cap, whilst second rowers David Fifita and Bulldog Jacob Preston are both in the mix to accompany Penrith's Liam Martin in the second row.
It will be Martin's first appearance for Australia in three years after he missed the 2025 Ashes tour on paternity leave and the 2024 Pacific Championships with injury.
"I want to get back in that arena and sort of get one back against them,” Martin told NRL.com in September when reflecting on his most recent international - a record-breaking 30-0 loss to New Zealand in Hamilton.
Australia are standout favourites to win the tournament, but not to the same dominant degree as recent World Cups.
The Australian Rugby League Commission updated eligibility rules in February 2026 to allow players who represent New Zealand or England to also play State of Origin if certain criteria are met, which has seen Newcastle pair Kalyn Ponga and Dane Gagai both switch allegiances from Australia to New Zealand.
New Zealand is set to field arguably their strongest ever World Cup squads as a result of the eligibility changes, with players no longer forced to choose either the Kiwis or State of Origin.
Kangaroos head coach Kevin Walters said some brilliant individual performances from the recent NRL finals shaped his decision-making process.
"I’m really happy with the balance of the squad," Walters added.
"We have some real strike power and a significant amount of experience, along with size, power and speed.
“This will be a huge Test. I have never before seen the amount of talent spread across the top nations. We are going to need to be at our best to take out the World Cup.”
Australia's 2026 Rugby League World Cup squad:
Bradman Best* (Newcastle Knights), Jack Bostock* (Dolphins), Blayke Brailey* (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Patrick Carrigan (Brisbane Broncos), Lindsay Collins (Sydney Roosters), Reuben Cotter (North Queensland Cowboys), Tom Dearden (North Queensland Cowboys), Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (Gold Coast Titans), David Fifita* (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Harry Grant (Melbourne Storm), Keaon Koloamatangi (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Liam Martin (Penrith Panthers), Latrell Mitchell (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels), Cameron Munster (Melbourne Storm), Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Jacob Preston* (Canterbury Bulldogs), Kotoni Staggs (Brisbane Broncos), James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters), Tom Trbojevic (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles), Sam Walker* (Sydney Roosters), Reece Walsh (Brisbane Broncos), Isaah Yeo (c) (Penrith Panthers)