Lebanon confirm Rugby League World Cup squad

A lot of players from their previous World Cup side return.

WRITER | October 7, 2026 - 9:53am

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The Lebanon Cedars have named their 23-man squad for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, with Jacob Kiraz the standout in Michael Cheika's side.

Kiraz played for Lebanon in 2022, starring at fullback as they got to the quarter-finals.

He is set to wear the Lebanon jersey against Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby for their first match of the tournament.

The Francis brothers are another talking point. Teenage Broncos forward Tupou Francis, who was eligible for six nations, picked Lebanon and joins his older brother, Tony, in the side.

If they both play, they could line up against their cousin Lehi Hopoate when Lebanon face Tonga.

The biggest missing name is Mitchell Moses, who represented Lebanon in the 2022 World Cup.

Moses has instead joined the Australian side for the World Cup.

Adam Doueihi will miss the World Cup after he underwent shoulder reconstruction surgery in August.

Experience comes from Abbas Miski and Alew Twal, while James Roumanos, Jordan Samrani and Charbel Tasipale were part of the Lebanon World Cup Nines squad assembled in 2019 without any NRL experience.

Jason Saab will make his Lebanon debut after his successful case to the IRL.

Saab's addition boosts the Cedars backline for the upcoming tournament.

Michael Cheika is back in charge after taking the Cedars to the 2022 quarter-finals, where Australia knocked them out.

That run earned automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

Matt King is Cheika's assistant coach and stays committed to the campaign before taking over as NSW State of Origin coach.

Lebanon open against Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby on October 17.

They then return to CommBank Stadium for Tonga on October 23 and France on November 1.