The 2026 Rugby League World Cup (RLWC) is less than 12 months away and every nation will be looking to dethrone Australia to become the new world champions and hold the title of World Cup winners.
After failing to win any matches during the 2025 Ashes Series, England will be eager to rebound at the upcoming RLWC and make an impact under coach Shaun Wane.
Their squad is set to be made up of a combination of players from the Super League and NRL such as AJ Brimson, Kai Pearce-Paul, Jack Welsby, Harry Smith and Mikey Lewis.
However, expect mass changes from the recent 2025 Ashes Series after being whitewashed by Australia.
In what is a different squad from what was named for the 2022 RLWC, only 12 of the 24 members are set to return for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.
Predicted England squad for 2026 RLWC
| Position | 2022 RLWC Squad | 2026 RLWC Squad |
| Fullback | Sam Tomkins (c) | Jack Welsby |
| Wing | Tommy Makinson | Matty Ashton |
| Centre | Kallum Watkins | AJ Brimson |
| Centre | Herbie Farnworth | Herbie Farnworth |
| Wing | Dominic Young | Dominic Young |
| 5/8 | Jack Welsby | George Williams (c) |
| Halfback | George Williams | Mikey Lewis |
| Prop | Thomas Burgess | Ethan Harvard |
| Hooker | Michael McIlorum | Jez Litten |
| Prop | Chris Hill | Matty Lees |
| Back-Row | Elliott Whitehead | Kai Pearce-Paul |
| Back-Row | Mike McMeeken | John Bateman |
| Lock | Victor Radley | Victor Radley |
| Interchange | Luke Thompson | Harry Smith |
| Interchange | Morgan Knowles | Morgan Knowles |
| Interchange | Matty Lees | Morgan Smithies |
| Interchange | Mike Cooper | Junior Nsemba |
| Reserves | Kai Pearce-Paul | Luke Thompson |
| Reserves | Andy Ackers | Billy Smith |
| Reserves | Joe Batchelor | Matty Nicholson |
| Reserves | Ryan Hall | Jake Connor |
| Reserves | Mikolaj Oledzki | Mikolaj Oledzki |
| Reserves | Marc Sneyd | Daryl Clark |
| Reserves | John Bateman | Mike McMeeken |
