The standard rules of rugby league applied but with the following variations:[1] The competing teams were hand picked, and the selections were announced on 22 April 2019.

Lebanon were stripped of their win over France due to fielding an ineligible player.

[6] On 19 October 2019, Lebanon's Jacob Kiraz and Jordan Samrani and Papua New Guinea women's players Sera Koroi and Joyce Waula were all suspended from the tournament for being under the age of 18.

While the International Rugby League allows players 16 or older to play in Test matches, the National Rugby League (who ran the tournament) rules require that players must be 18 or older.

Kiraz, who would not turn 18 until November 2019, was the only one of the four to play a game, coming off the bench in Lebanon's 12–8 win over France.