The whole shebang kicks off in October 2026 and runs through late November. That’s perfect, because by then, regular sports are getting boring. It’s being hosted across France, which means we get rugby league in places that usually only care about cheese and complaining. How very European.
The final is set for November 21st at the Stade de France in Paris. You know, that big bowl they use for everything. I half-expect them to sell croissants in the stands. The semifinals are in Lyon and Marseille, so you can bet the atmosphere there will be absolutely bonkers.
The Pool Stage: Aka the "Get to Know Your Underdogs" Phase
There are four pools, each with four teams. Pool A has Australia, England, and a couple of teams just hoping to not get slaughtered by 80 points. Pool B is a bit of a spice mix, with Samoa, Tonga, and New Zealand. If you like big hits and family feuds, that’s your group. Bookmark that page.
Pool C is where the hosts, France, live, alongside Lebanon and some other scrappy nations. Pool D feels like the "wild card" buffet, with Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and maybe a Scotland or Ireland rolling in with a few sheep jokes. The first matches start October 17th. That’s only, like, 18 months away. Start your countdown app.
