The number of teams still to be determined but its looking like it will be 4 groups of 4
the 3 tier one nations
Australia , NZ & England
The 5 Heritage PI nations
Tonga , Samoa , PNG , Fiji & the Cook Islands
the rest of the Heritage European nations plus France
Ireland , Scotland , Wales , Italy
Asia
Lebanon , a heritage team mainly
Nth America
USA & Canada
The thing about this up coming world cup is, While the Kangaroos will start favourites quite rightly
5 teams will be legit contenders to take it out ....
The 3 tier one teams &
Tonga & Samoa
New Zealand , while decimated with Injuries during this present Pacific Championships , they did beat Australia by 30-0 only a year ago in the final , the biggest defeat the Kangaroos have had in 116 years , with Hughes , Brown , Sofa .. & a few others back they will be serious contenders.
England ... have put both Tonga & Samoa away comfortably in consecutive years in test series at home so have obvious ability but need to produce it when it matters , IE a Kangaroo tour (2025) & a World Cup . They could win it.
Tonga & Samoa
have both elevated in recent years & have squads that on their day can match any of the Tier one nations ... their record proves it.
This WILL be the best World Cups RL has ever had.
wow
England