IRL Men's Rugby League World Cup 2013 Qualifiers
In February 2010 IRL confirmed a 14-team format, comprising 12 automatic qualifiers. The initial group comprised the 10 countries that competed at RLWC 2008 while in May 2010 the Cook Islands, as a full member, and Wales, as co-host, were also confirmed. The qualifiers to fill the remaining two berths were played in October 2011.
IRL Men’s Rugby League World Cup 2013 (Atlantic) Qualifiers
South Africa joined Jamaica and hosts USA. Despite not selecting players from clubs aligned with the US Association of Rugby League, the American National Rugby League-administered national team won both games and qualified. This was the only time an Atlantic qualification group was used.
IRL Men’s Rugby League World Cup 2013 (Europe) Qualifiers
Each team had one home game before the third and final round was played in Belgrade, Serbia. Italy became the 14th and final team to qualify for the world cup, on points difference following a dramatic draw with Lebanon.