Nigeria to Lead New Rugby League for Emerging Nations

Nigeria is poised to lead the future of international rugby league for emerging nations with a new competition proposed by the International Rugby League (IRL). This competition is scheduled to occur in Sydney from October 19 to November 11, 2026, and will feature teams playing four matches.

Adebisi, the Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Rugby League Association, emphasized the necessity of this competition for the Nigerian rugby league, particularly following the women's team's near qualification for the World Cup in Canada in 2025. The proposal aims to create a structured platform for emerging nations that have not qualified for the World Cup, allowing them to compete and develop their players.

Luke Shearman, the NRLA Director of High Performance, highlighted that the competition would include both men's and women's tournaments with five teams participating. The initiative is designed to foster regular tournaments for emerging nations and has garnered interest from seven countries across various regions.