European Rugby League chair Dean Andrew has welcomed the extensive Autumn international season across the regions, which kicks off this weekend when Scotland’s men travel to play the Netherlands in Sassenheim.
With 22 senior internationals covering men’s, women’s and wheelchair already having been played this year in all three regions covered by the organization, that number is set to double by the end of the season.
“We’ve already had some fascinating encounters this year, starting in January when Nigeria beat Ghana women, and with Wales’s historic trip to the USA for two wheelchair internationals,” Andrew noted. “We’ve also seen seven exciting women’s games take place in 2026 Rugby League World Cup qualifying in Europe as well as other bilateral games.”
Also coming up, Ireland will follow to the Netherlands before the Oranje head to Serbia. Malta will travel to Italy to complete the men’s action for September, while Kenya and Nigeria lock horns in the Middle East & Africa Women’s World Cup qualifiers in Nairobi.
October sees Greece and Ireland women play off in Athens to determine which nation keeps their World Cup dream alive, with the attention switching shortly after to the men’s event, with Serbia taking on Wales and France hosting Ukraine, the winners meeting for the right to proceed further towards Australia and PNG in 2026.
Prior to this, Wales host Jamaica in Neath, and Samoa will arrive in England for a two-match series, which will also see Wales women face their English counterparts and a wheelchair clash of the titans between England and France.
November will see the Americas Rugby League World Cup qualifying competition take place for women with Canada, Jamaica and hosts USA all vying to progress, before the USA men depart to South Africa in December for a historic two match series.
“The volume of sanctioned mtches is unprecedented, and it shows the passion that exists for the international game,” added Andrew, who also sits on the International Rugby League board. “All of these senior internationals are on top of several youth games played at various age groups, including the highly successful European U19s Championship which took place in July. It’s a great time to be a fan of international competition.”
Keep up to date with all the fixtures being played in Europe, the Americas and the Middle East & Africa at www.europeanrugbyleague.com and on social media @eurorugbyleague
