The Rugby League World Cup plays host to 16 nations as they battle it out in England to decide who gets to lift the Paul Barrière Trophy. Australia has a stranglehold over the competition having won eight of the past nine tournaments.

However, there a number of new contenders such as Tonga and Samoa alongside the usual powerhouses of New Zealand and England, which makes this the most competitive World Cup ever. 

The hosts of this year's World Cup made it all the way to the final of the previous installment and will be hoping to go one better on home soil. 

🔒 @RLWC2021 squad numbers locked in! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 #EnglandRL squad to face Samoa to be named at midday tomorrow... 🤝 pic.twitter.com/aDh9MAXaHJ

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The majority of the French team is made up of Catalans Dragons players from the Super League yet progressing into the knockout stages may be just beyond them after being grouped alongside England and Samoa. 

🇫🇷 Voici notre équipe pour la Coupe du Monde ! #RLWC2021 #France #Rugby #RugbyLeague pic.twitter.com/hkAzxsgVfu

Greece will be making their first appearance ever at the RLWC, with South Sydney halfback Lachlan Ilias headlining an inexperienced team which have overcome a number of obstacles just to get to the group stage. 

Our captain @JohnyNk at the official @RLWC2021 photo shoot! 👌 pic.twitter.com/LfsywD91WA

The Samoans have reached the quarter finals in the past two tournaments but will consider that a failure in 2022. The star-studded outfit contains eight grand final players from across Penrith and Parramatta. 

Could this be Samoa's moment?#RLWC2021 | @RLSamoa pic.twitter.com/zTeF5efk7X

The eleven-time winners have won the past two World Cups and will be confident of making it a third on the bounce, even though a number of stars elected to represent their ancestral nations rather than the Kangaroos. 

Mal Meninga has named our side to take on Fiji! 🦘 Details: https://t.co/6sH4ECQRJb #RLWC2021 pic.twitter.com/5vMiwzUSxl

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Often overlooked, the Bati have been remarkably consistent over the past decade or so at the World Cup. In fact, they have reached the semi-final stage on three consecutive occasions in 2008, 2013 and 2017.  

🇫🇯 Bula vinaka, it's Fiji Day! Are you as excited as the Fijian squad for the opening weekend of RLWC2021?#RLWC2021 | @FijiRugbyLeague | #FijiDay pic.twitter.com/hgLJFmymz2

Parramatta's firebrand forward Nathan Brown captains the Azzurri in what will be their third consecutive appearance at the World Cup. 

Questa maglia è un tributo ad una grande persona. Ad un amico. Ad un rugbista. Ad un marito e padre. Grazie Tiziano e ovunque tu sia spero tu stia facendo festa con la tua solita, innata spensieratezza. #tizianofranchini #FIRL #RLWC2021 pic.twitter.com/wIBM2p1aFJ

The Bravehearts have been drawn in a tough group consisting of the defending champions Australia and a Fiji side jam-packed with talent from the NRL. Although the last time they played in a World Cup in England, they managed to make the quarter finals in 2013. 

#ScotlandRL and VX3 are very proud to reveal our new Rugby League World Cup shirt. 🏉 Our men's and wheelchair teams will represent our nation as we head to England this autumn.https://t.co/7aM9cXbalX #Bravehearts pic.twitter.com/VF5HX6oMEW

The Wolfhounds have been drawn in arguably the most open group and stand a chance of progressing after Roosters playmaker Luke Keary and former England international Richie Myler joined the team. 

The New RLWC 2021 jersey is out. Donate for a chance to win an exclusive Rugby League Ireland World Cup Jersey signed by the whole team and coaches? Go to https://t.co/WRPGfqDINQ and make a donation and be entered for a chance to win the new RLWC 2021 Jersey. pic.twitter.com/Hivx1wfjtI

The Reggae Warriors will be making their first appearance at the World Cup and have selected six domestic-based players in their squad. 

🏆 Come behind the scenes at the RLWC2021 launch event! There are only four days until the men's tournament kicks off the Rugby League World Cup, who do you want to see lift the Paul Barrière Trophy on November 19th? 🎫 https://t.co/pSx23daU9c#RLWC2021 | @sim_manchester pic.twitter.com/5aj5775gvR

Michael Cheika will coach the Cedars, while Mitchell Moses will captain a side that made the quarter finals at the last World Cup. 

🇱🇧 Lebanon have touched down! We caught up with them at their tournament photo shoot, it’s safe to say they’re pumped!#RLWC2021 | @LebanonRL | @Josh_Mansour pic.twitter.com/uIiXkV02Uj

The Kiwis have assembled their strongest squad in recent memory with Michael Maguire's men ranked number one in the world heading into the tournament.

Your Kiwis 😤 🇳🇿https://t.co/prCdvcsfE1#worldcupwaka #RLWC2021 pic.twitter.com/QhKdbY18cJ

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The Cook Islands are back in the World Cup after missing out on qualification in 2017. They have yet to advance beyond the group stage in their history but have the likes of captain Brad Takairangi and Dylan Napa to call upon. 

🏆 Yesterday we welcomed captains and coaches from all 16 men's teams to officially launch RLWC2021! Find out more about the event. ⤵️#RLWC2021

The Kumuls made the quarter final stage at the last World Cup. They will fancy their chances of progressing to the knockouts once again with matches against the Cook Islands and Wales decisive.  

Prolific South Sydney try scorer Alex Johnston and Melbourne backs Justin Olam and Xavier Coates headline an experienced Papua New Guinea squad for the upcoming World Cup 🇵🇬 #RLWC2022 Get the details: https://t.co/PemedSV2DM pic.twitter.com/FF1rJJwrcb

Tonga was the feel-good story of the last tournament, when the likes of Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita almost powered them to the final. Five years later, they are now an emerging powerhouse on the international stage. 

Your 2022 Tonga World Cup Squad 🇹🇴 Get all the details: https://t.co/VLVe3xrsX9 pic.twitter.com/kVa5yXN6uD

The Welsh will have it all to do in Group D with a lack of experience at the domestic level posing as an issue. The John Kear-coached side have just two representatives from the Super League, while the rest of their squad will be made up of young talent from the lower tiers. 

The spirit of '95 for the boys of 2022. Our @RLWC2021 replica shirts on sale now. Buy yours: https://t.co/u4cJwzxhOv#CymruRL | @HaysTravel pic.twitter.com/AyShzjyo7d