Lebanon face 2030 World Cup qualifying barrier after loss of full-member status

Lebanon's rugby league team face an uncertain route towards the 2030 World Cup after losing full-member status with International Rugby League, according to reporting published by the Guardian on Friday. The country is not expected to meet a March 2027 deadline for consideration for the qualifiers unless the requirements change, despite its recent World Cup victory over France.

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The eligibility problem follows years of disruption to the domestic game. Rugby league activity in Lebanon stopped after the Beirut port explosion in 2020 and is only now resuming, the report said. A rugby nines competition and a course for referees have taken place at the Lebanese American University in Beirut, even as violence continues in the country.

On the field, Lebanon beat France at Sydney's CommBank Stadium last Sunday in what was Michael Cheika's final match as head coach. Injuries kept Mitchell Moses, Adam Doueihi and other NRL players out of the squad. Their absence created openings for younger players, including Canterbury Bulldogs player Alex Conti, 20, who had not previously been capped and emerged during the group stage alongside St George youngster Shadi Hammoud.

Prop Jalal Bazzaz told the Guardian that representing Lebanon gave supporters at home something positive to follow. He said his mother had heard from people in Lebanon who were watching the team on television. Bazzaz also expressed concern that the younger members of the squad might not get the same World Cup opportunities he had experienced, while hoping the country could restore its position.

Lebanon will continue developing players through the Heritage RL network, which also includes Syria. Syria Rugby League president Abdul Nabhan said participation had grown from two people at its first training session to more than 100. The organisation now fields men's and women's teams as well as boys' and girls' sides in Australia, drawing players from Sydney and the Central Coast.

Syria is pursuing IRL observer membership as a first step towards official international fixtures. Nabhan also described efforts to build a competition in Syria, with universities signing up, although instability has slowed progress. For Lebanon, the immediate administrative hurdle remains the March deadline: the Guardian's report leaves its 2030 prospects dependent on whether the current qualification requirements are changed.