Cedars star Alex Twal has urged Lebanon fans to get their tickets for the nation’s World Cup matches at CommBank Stadium to prevent Tonga and Samoa supporters from packing out the crowds.
Twal joined Jillaroos stars Jessica Sergis and Keilee Joseph at Sydney’s Overseas Passenger Terminal to celebrate 50 Days To Go until Rugby League World Cup 2026 kicks off.
The best and most competitive Rugby League World Cup since the concept began in 1954 will feature 26 teams representing 14 nations in Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair tournaments.
RLWC26 gets underway with the heavyweight clash between the Kangaroos and Kiwis at Allianz Stadium on Thursday, October 15 before the Jillaroos headline a double-header at CommBank Stadium on Friday October 16 against Fetu Samoa, with Toa Samoa to play France in the earlier game.
Lebanon open their World Cup campaign at Santos National Stadium in Port Moresby against the PNG Kumuls before back-to-back matches at CommBank Stadium against Tonga on October 23 and France on November 1.
Twal represented Lebanon at RLWC17 in Australia and predicted the Cedars fans would rival those of Tonga and Samoa, who have packed out CommBank Stadium for Pacific Cup matches and last year drew a record 45,000 crowd when they met at Suncorp Stadium.
Match Highlights: Lebanon v Ireland
Tonga and Samoa meet at CommBank Stadium on November 1 in the final match of a triple-header featuring the Lebanon-France clash and the Jillaroos game against Wales.
“Our fan base will definitely get behind us and support the team," Twal said. “We have got massive support. Until this day, I have never been involved in something so amazing as 2017. Our fans were unbelievable so we know they will really get behind us.
“I don’t think people realise how much of the NRL fan base are Lebanese, especially in western Sydney. When the Cedars play, especially here in Sydney, they are definitely going to get amongst it.
"I know some of them have already got tickets and I’m sure our fans will want to make sure they can support us in those matches.”
Staged in nine cities in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, Rugby League World Cup 2026 will feature 53 matches across the three tournaments in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Port Moresby, Christchurch, Newcastle, Wollongong, Gold Coast and Townsville.
Regarded as one of the best sporting teams in the world, the Jillaroos will headline their opening two matches against Samoa at CommBank Stadium on October 16 and England at Perth’s HBF Stadium on October 24 – a double-header with the England-France men’s game.
Tonga XIII v Toa Samoa
“We are so excited to have the World Cup in our own backyard, with our family and friends being able to come and support us, but we know it is going to be a tough campaign,” Sergis said.
“Each team is so strong and there are going to be NRLW players in most of the teams, which will bring so much more exposure and support for our game.
“We have been quite strong the last few years but we have lost some players to New Zealand and Samoa, and that really builds up their teams so we are going to have to play at our best in each game.”
Joseph, who was also a member of the Jillaroos team that won the last World Cup in England in 2022, said RLWC26 would be a step up from Pacific Championships.
“I’m really looking forward to playing some new teams, we have got England and Wales too, so I am expecting some tough games,” Jospeh said.
“Samoa is always strong and they have got some good players. I love the competition and I am really excited to go up against some of my team-mates from the NRLW.”
The Wheelchair tournament will kick off on October 30 at WIN Entertainment Centre and will be staged in Wollongong in its entirety.
Tickets for RLWC26 are selling well and fans are encouraged to take advantage of the accessible ticket pricing as most matches are expected to sell out.
Full draw: rlwc2026.com
Tickets on sale: rlwc2026.com
All matches will be broadcast live and exclusive in Australia on Seven and 7Plus, Sky Sport in New Zealand and Digicel in Papua New Guinea.
