The 2021 Men's Rugby League World Cup featured 16 international teams, with each consisting of up to a 24-man squad.
Group A edit
England edit
Head coach: 
Shaun Wane
England announced their 24-man squad on 30 September 2022. Debut call-ups were handed to Andy Ackers, Herbie Farnworth, Kai Pearce-Paul, Victor Radley, Marc Sneyd and Dom Young.[1]
France edit
Head coach: 
Laurent Frayssinous
France announced their 24-man squad on 24 September 2022. Experienced players Théo Fages, Julian Bousquet, and Romain Navarrete were all unavailable due to injuries, as was Lucas Albert.[2] Samisoni Langi qualified via 5-years residency in 2022 and made himself available for France rather than Tonga, who he represented at the previous two tournaments (although did not play a match in 2017).[3]
Greece edit
Head coach: 
Steve Georgallis
Greece announced their 24-man squad on 15 September 2022.[4][5] The squad includes players from the professional competitions and from the Greek domestic competition.[6] Billy Tsikrikas was initially named in the squad but withdrew. He was replaced by Siteni Taukamo. Flocas, Gal, Ilias and Taukamo are the only uncapped players in the squad. Grigoris Koutsimpogiorgos was ruled out for the remainder of the tournament due to concussion. Adam Vrahnos was added to the squad as his replacement.[7]
Samoa edit
Head coach: 
Matt Parish
Samoa announced their 24-man squad on 27 September 2022.[8] Luciano Leilua was initially included in the squad but was withdrawn after he was charged with two criminal offences.[9] Ligi Sao was announced as his replacement on 8 October.[10] Braden Hamlin-Uele, Tyrone May and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow were ruled out for the remainder of the tournament due to injury. Ken Sio and Tim Lafai were added to the squad as their replacements.[11]
Group B edit
Australia edit
Head coach: Mal Meninga
Australia announced their 24-man squad on 3 October 2022.[12] Debut call-ups were handed to Matt Burton, Patrick Carrigan, Nathan Cleary, Lindsay Collins, Reuben Cotter, Angus Crichton, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Campbell Graham, Harry Grant, Liam Martin, Jeremiah Nanai, Murray Taulagi and Isaah Yeo. Nicho Hynes, Dylan Edwards and Damien Cook were named as standby players.
The players' jersey numbers were announced on 6 October.[13] The decision to number players in order of their Kangaroos debut (except captain James Tedesco, who was allocated #1), rather than the conventional positional numbering, was met with widespread backlash and derision.[14][15]
Fiji edit
Head coach: 
Wise Kativerata
Fiji announced their 24-man squad on 4 October 2022.[16] A 33-man squad was initially named on 6 September 2022.[17]
Head coach Joe Rabele was replaced by Wise Kativerata after being hospitalised due to illness.[18] Pio Seci (#3), Mikaele Ravalawa (#5), and Kaylen Miller (#15) all suffered tournament-ending injuries during Fiji's warm-up match against England on 7 October. They were replaced by Korbin Sims, Mitieli Vulikijapani, and Tevita Toloi.[19][20][21]
Italy edit
Head coach: Leo Epifania[22]
Italy announced their 24-man squad on 30 September 2022. Cooper Johns was initially named in the squad but withdrew and was replaced by Radean Robinson.[23][24]
Scotland edit
Head coach: 
Nathan Graham
Scotland announced their 24-man squad on 28 September 2022.[25] They announced their squad numbers on 14 October.[26]
Group C edit
Ireland edit
Head coach: 
Ged Corcoran[27]
Ireland announced their 24-man squad on 29 September 2022.[28] They announced their squad numbers on 14 October.[29]
Jamaica edit
Head coach: 
Romeo Monteith
Jamaica announced their 24-man squad on 28 September 2022. Six players from the domestic competition are named in the squad, including former Excelsior Community College winger Abevia McDonald (now playing for London Skolars).[30]
Lebanon edit
Head coach: Michael Cheika
Lebanon announced their 24-man squad on 29 September 2022.[31] Atef Hamdan was initially named in the squad but withdrew. He was replaced by Robin Hachache.
New Zealand edit
Head coach: Michael Maguire[32]
New Zealand announced their 24-man squad on 3 October 2022.[33] A 34-man squad was initially named, which included Braden Hamlin-Uele, Corey Harawira-Naera, Shaun Johnson, Ken Maumalo, Griffin Neame, Jordan Riki, Matt Timoko, Kodi Nikorima and Bailey Simonsson.
Group D edit
Cook Islands edit
Head coach: 
Tony Iro
The Cook Islands announced their 24-man squad on 4 October 2022. Adam Tangata and Malachi Morgan were named as standby players.[34] Anthony Gelling withdrew from the squad following their match against Papua New Guinea on 25 October.[35]
Papua New Guinea edit
Head coach: 
Stanley Tepend[36]
Papua New Guinea announced their 24-man squad on 3 October 2022.[37] On 21 October, Coates and Gebbie were ruled out for the rest of the tournament due to injury.[38] No replacements were added.
Tonga edit
Head coach: Kristian Woolf
Tonga announced their 24-man squad on 3 October 2022.[39] A 38-man squad was initially named on 16 September.[40][41]
Wales edit
Head coach: John Kear
Wales announced their 24-man squad on 3 October 2022.[42] Ben Evans was ruled out for the remainder of the tournament due to a throat injury. He was replaced by Luke Thomas.[43]
References edit
- ^ Darbyshire, Drew (30 September 2022). "England announce squad for home World Cup". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
- ^ "XIII de France : Le groupe des 24 joueurs retenus pour la Coupe du monde". Treize Mondial (in French). 24 September 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
- ^ Darbyshire, Drew (25 September 2022). "Samisoni Langi named in France squad for Rugby League World Cup". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
- ^ "Ilias headlines Greece squad for World Cup". International Rugby League. 15 September 2022.
- ^ "Rugby League World Cup 2021 - Greece Men". www.rlwc2021.com. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
- ^ "Greece announce squad for first ever Rugby League World Cup". Yahoo Sports. 15 September 2022.
- ^ "Ex-Warrington Wolves man to make surprise positional switch". Serious About Rugby League. 21 October 2022.
- ^ Walter, Brad (27 September 2022). "Samoa name eight grand final stars in powerful World Cup squad". NRL.com. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
- ^ "Cowboys' Leilua stood down by NRL, ruled out of World Cup". ABC News. 6 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
- ^ "Liligiifo 'Ligi' Sao joins Samoa World Cup squad". asiapacificrl.com. 8 October 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
- ^ "Salford Red Devils due called-up to Samoa's Rugby League World Cup squad after injuries". YorkshireLive. 20 October 2022. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
- ^ Jackson, Andrew (3 October 2022). "Big DCE call as 13 debutants named, Dally M medallist misses out: Kangaroos Squad". Fox Sports. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
- ^ Nicolussi, Christian (6 October 2022). "Odd numbers: Why Munster will wear No.7 jersey for Roos instead of Cleary or DCE". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
- ^ "'Disgrace': Fury over Cup jersey 'lotto numbers' as Kangaroos stars robbed of special moment". Fox Sports. 12 October 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
- ^ Graham, Brett (12 October 2022). "Jersey number confusion takes gloss off Australian team for World Cup opener against Fiji". Wide World of Sports. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
- ^ Darbyshire, Drew (4 October 2022). "Three NRL Grand Finalists included in Fiji squad for World Cup". Love Rugby League.
- ^ Baleilevuka, Rusiate (6 September 2022). "Naiqama and Kikau to captain Fiji Bati at the RLWC Rabele names 33 member Bati squad". Fiji Village.
- ^ Walter, Brad (13 October 2022). "Kativerata to take charge of Bati following Rabele's hospitalisation". NRL.com. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
- ^ Cama, Akuila (13 October 2022). "Ravalawa returns home". FBC News. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
- ^ Appleyard, Joe (21 October 2022). "Korbin Sims' boots not hung up yet as retiring Hull KR man named in Fiji side". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
- ^ Biudole, Noa (20 October 2022). "Toloi answers Bati RLWC call-up". Fiji Live. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
- ^ Darbyshire, Drew (17 June 2022). "Tim Sheens links up with Italy for World Cup". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
Sheens will work alongside head coach Leo Epifania, who led Italy to World Cup qualification back in 2019.
- ^ Edwards, Colleen (14 October 2022). "World Cup to provide breakout players a chance to shine". NRL.com. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
- ^ "CQ Capras' Radean Robinson representing Italy at 2022 Rugby League World Cup". Cairns Post. 6 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
- ^ "Scotland World Cup squads revealed". scotlandrl.com. 28 September 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
- ^ Scotland Rugby League (14 October 2022). "Is there is a better feeling than pulling on that jersey, the thistle on your chest? Nothing beats representing your roots... #Bravehearts". Retrieved 14 October 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ Gordon, James (11 April 2022). "Ireland reveal new head coach ahead of World Cup". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
- ^ "Ireland's 24-man Rugby League World Cup 2021 squad". rli.ie. 29 September 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
- ^ Rugby League Ireland (14 October 2022). "Tweet: Here are the squad numbers for the Ireland men's team at @RLWC2021!". Retrieved 14 October 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Jamaica name 24-man squad for Rugby League World Cup debut". rljam.com. 28 September 2022. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
- ^ Walter, Brad (29 September 2022). "Moses named in Lebanon World Cup squad but Cheika sweating on Kangaroos call". NRL.com. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
- ^ Dunn, Alex (15 September 2022). "Kiwis squad boosted ahead of Rugby League World Cup". Sports Entertainment Network Radio.
- ^ "Kiwis name six NRL Grand Finalists for World Cup". International Rugby League. 3 October 2022.
- ^ Darbyshire, Drew (4 October 2022). "Tony Iro names strong Cook Islands squad for World Cup". Retrieved 4 October 2022.
- ^ McAllister, Josh (26 October 2022). "Anthony Gelling leaves Cook Islands camp early to return home". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
- ^ Keslep, Simon (13 May 2022). "Tepend Appointed As Kumuls Coach". Post Courier (PNG). Retrieved 27 September 2022.
- ^ "Johnston, Coates among key faces in Kumuls World Cup squad". NRL.com. 3 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
- ^ McAllister, Josh (21 October 2022). "Papua New Guinea dealt major blow in World Cup". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
- ^ "Fifita among new faces in powerful Tonga World Cup squad". 3 October 2022.
- ^ Walter, Brad (16 September 2022). "David Fifita named in powerful Tonga squad ahead of World Cup". NRL.com.
- ^ Bailey, Scott (16 September 2022). "David Fifita named in Tonga's World Cup Squad". The West Australian.
- ^ "Wales men's squad name for World Cup". wrl.wales. 3 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
- ^ "Warrington Wolves prop comes into Wales squad for World Cup". Warrington Guardian. 22 October 2022. Retrieved 23 October 2022.