The competition was to be held in during October and November 2025,[1] but was moved to 2026 following the withdrawal of France as hosts nation.

[2][3][4][5] The International Rugby League (IRL) originally decided in 2016 to have the tournaments hosted in the United States and Canada.

[7][8] In December 2019 however, the IRL withdrew the hosting rights due to the promoters, Moore Sports International, being unable to guarantee the staging of the tournaments.

[11][12][13] On 15 May 2023, the France 2025 organising committee was forced to withdraw from hosting the tournament, due to financial concerns from the new French government elected in May 2022.

[2][3][4][5] On 24 July 2024, the IRL announced that Australia would host the 2026 tournament, with a number of games played in Papua New Guinea.