Ireland, Scotland secure remaining IRL Wheelchair RLWC26 berths

The IRL Board has awarded the remaining two berths at the IRL Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup 2026 to Ireland and Scotland.

IRL has previously confirmed the inclusion of the RLWC21 semi-finalists Australia, England, France and Wales as automatic qualifiers for RLWC26 to be staged in Australia in October and November 2026.

New Zealand (Asia-Pacific) and USA (Americas) have also been confirmed as participants to ensure geographical diversity in the competition.

The inclusion of Ireland and Scotland follows an application process overseen by the IRL Wheelchair Advisory Group, who managed and reviewed the applications, making a recommendation to the IRL Board. The application process covered four areas:

1. Senior International Matches played since RLWC21

2. Preparation for RLWC26

3. Domestic Competition Strength

4. Participation Impact act of RLWC26

Ireland and Scotland were among the eight wheelchair teams who contested RLWC21, staged in England in 2022.

For Ireland, currently ranked third in the IRL World Rankings, the opportunity to participate allows them to maintain their upward trajectory having risen through the rankings and securing back-to-back Celtic Cup victories on the back of a recently launched domestic competition which has provided at least 50% of their players for recent international matches. Ireland has played seven Senior International Matches since January 2023, with athletes participating in the three-team provincial competition invited to national team camps twice a month.

Ireland Wheelchair Head Coach Phil Roberts said: “The last IRL Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup was the catalyst for the development of the sport in Ireland; our growing participation, the launch of our domestic competition, and our ever-improving national squad. I am thrilled for this dedicated and hardworking group of players and volunteers, and that they get the opportunity to showcase their progression at such a prestigious competition. Receiving an invitation from IRL at this time enables us to prepare effectively to ensure that RLI will be at our very best in Australia in 2026.'

Rugby League Ireland Chairman Jim Reynolds said: “Huge thanks to IRL for this great honour to represent Ireland and Wheelchair sport at next year's World Cup - it is a dream come true for our players, staff, and volunteers. We were determined to optimise the legacy from our participation in RLWC21 and I am immensely proud that we grabbed that opportunity and have built the sport in Ireland from the ground up with a full domestic league, a worthy national team and home-grown players now playing in the Super League. We will aim to make our country proud.”

Scotland, who have been narrowing the gap to their rivals in the past two years under the watchful eye of head coach Martyn Gill are keen to capitalise on the wider opportunities that participation in the World Cup will bring as well as building on the introduction of Edinburgh Giants in the Betfred Wheelchair Super League which has given Scotland based players access to week in week out competitive fixtures.

“I am absolutely delighted that Scotland Wheelchair Rugby League has been offered a place at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup in Australia,” Gill said. “This is a huge moment for our players, staff, and the wider wheelchair rugby league community in Scotland. It’s the reward for the commitment and hard work that is taking place to develop the sport both domestically and on the international stage. We have to continue to raise the bar in all areas as we get set to test ourselves on the biggest stage. It’s time to work.”

Scotland Rugby League co-chair Alistair McVicar said: “We are absolutely delighted with the decision for the Wheelchair team to be involved in the World Cup in Australia. Martyn, his management team and all involved, deserve this opportunity to showcase how far we have developed since the last World Cup”.