Updated: 1 November 2026 · Results through 31 October · Round 1 complete
The Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup 2026 points table is taking shape after the opening round in Wollongong. As of 1 November 2026, Ireland and France lead their pools on points difference, while England and Australia also have opening victories. Every team has played once, leaving two pool matches each before the knockout positions are settled.
The tables below are calculated from completed results published by NRL, with two competition points for a win, one for a draw and none for a defeat. They are a dated standings snapshot, not a live score feed. Positions shown here remain provisional and should not be mistaken for confirmed qualification.
Wheelchair World Cup 2026 points table
Pool A
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ireland | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 110 | 10 | +100 | 2 |
| 2 | England | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 98 | 18 | +80 | 2 |
| 3 | Wales | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 18 | 98 | -80 | 0 |
| 4 | United States | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 110 | -100 | 0 |
Pool B
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | France | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 114 | 0 | +114 | 2 |
| 2 | Australia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 102 | 14 | +88 | 2 |
| 3 | New Zealand | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 102 | -88 | 0 |
| 4 | Scotland | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 114 | -114 | 0 |
P: played · W: wins · D: draws · L: losses · PF: points for · PA: points against · PD: points difference · Pts: competition points.
Calculated from NRL’s completed Round 1 results; ordered by competition points, then points difference.
Pool A: Ireland and England set the pace
Ireland opened Pool A with a 110–10 victory over the United States. That result produced a points difference of plus 100, putting the Irish ahead of England despite both teams collecting two competition points. Joseph Calcott scored seven tries for Ireland, while Cian Horgan contributed six in an emphatic attacking performance.
England began their title defence by beating Wales 98–18. Their plus 80 difference leaves them second in this snapshot, with Wales third and the United States fourth. For both losing teams, the next round offers an opportunity to recover. One defeat does not decide a three-match group campaign.
Sources: IRL’s Ireland-USA report and League Unlimited’s tournament coverage.
Pool B: France lead, Australia follow
France recorded the largest winning margin of the opening round, defeating Scotland 114–0. Their attacking return and clean sheet place them first in Pool B. Australia sit second after a 102–14 win against New Zealand, giving the hosts a points difference of plus 88. The Australian score follows the official NRL match report.
Bayley McKenna contributed 44 points for Australia through four tries and fourteen successful goals. France also enjoyed a standout individual display from Jeremy Bourson, who crossed seven times. Those performances explain the strong starts, although the standings measure team results rather than individual scoring totals.
Source: NRL’s Saturday match report.
How to read the standings
Competition points and match points serve different purposes. The Pts column determines the standings, while PF records points scored and PA records points conceded. PD is calculated by subtracting PA from PF. Consequently, scoring 114 points in a match does not give France 114 competition points: the victory earns two.
Next fixtures and qualification
The next wheelchair fixtures are scheduled for Tuesday, 3 November, at WIN Entertainment Centre. France face New Zealand, Australia meet Scotland, Ireland play Wales and England take on the United States. The final pool round follows on Friday, 6 November, including England against Ireland and France against Australia.
The top two teams from each pool progress to the main semi-finals, while the remaining nations enter the ranking matches. International Rugby League currently lists the ranking semi-finals for 9 November and the main semi-finals for 10 November. The title match is scheduled for 13 November in Wollongong.
For supporters following the qualification race, the next results matter more than the size of an opening victory. An opening win provides a platform, but the remaining fixtures can change the order quickly. Check the linked official results and fixture pages for subsequent updates before treating these standings as current.
Schedule: International Rugby League fixtures. Format and final date: tournament schedule. Explore our RLWC 2026 venues guide.