French Rugby League Federation president, Dominique Baloup, has hailed the men's qualification for the IRL Rugby League World Cup 2026 in Australia and Papua New Guinea as a transformative moment for the sport.
They will join the women and wheelchair teams at the combined tournament.
"By beating Jamaica and qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, the men offered the public, France Télévision viewers, and the entire rugby league family a moment of pride, passion and sporting communion," he said.
"This victory goes beyond the field alone. It symbolises the constant progress of a younger, hard-working, close-knit group, which carries the French colours high with commitment and respect. It also testifies to the quality of the work accomplished by the technical staff and all those who have worked to make our France team efficient."
