Canada, Jamaica, USA announce squads for RLWC2026 qualifying ...

The final qualifying tournament for the 2026 Women’s RL World Cup will be staged this week in the Americas, featuring Canada, USA and Jamaica.

The winners will represent the region in next year’s inaugural 2025 World Series against Ireland (Europe), Nigeria (Middle East Africa) and Fiji (Asia Pacific).

The Americas matches will be played at the University of North Florida Rugby Fields in Jacksonville, with hosts USA facing Jamaica (kick off 7pm local time) for the right to take on highest ranked Canada on Saturday 9 November (kick off 4pm, local time).

Canada will warm up for the decider with a match against a USA Pioneers development team to open proceedings.

Haley Sheldon, nicknamed “Hurricane”, Miranda Barnard – the first woman elected to the USARL board, with the role of driving the women’s domestic game - Ashley Mencke, Tiara A'au and Stacia Thompson look set to make their debuts for the for the USA Hawks, alongside Taylor White who played for Wigan Warriors in the British Super League and MarCaya Bailous, who won the first NRL combine in Las Vegas earlier this year.

USA head coach, Sean Rutgerson, commented: “This is our first women’s international match played on domestic soil.  We are looking forward to being in front of a big home crowd and giving them something to cheer.

“This is a massive opportunity to showcase the women’s game in the USA and we have a squad capable of doing that.”

Jamaica include four players who travel from the British game, Kaya-Jo Laing, Elyse Royal, Darcey Price and Chevelle Clarke, as the Women’s Reggae Warriors aim for their first world cup appearance.

JRLA director of rugby, Romeo Monteith, noted: “It's a historic moment for us that we hope will help to spur the growth of the women's game in Jamaica and spark more players in the diaspora to look to represent Jamaica in the future. 

“All our players have made major commitments to be here, and we look forward to seeing how we go. We hope to see a regular calendar of women matches in the Americas in the coming years.”

Canada is aiming to make their third women’s World Cup, with the bulk of their squad coming from Ontario Ospreys. 

Skipper Dani Franada said: “There’s big excitement within our group. Representing Canada is a privilege we never take lightly—everyone’s put in a lot of hard work building up to this, and it will be a great opportunity to come together as a team and showcase that effort.”

The matches will be live streamed at:  https://youtube.com/@usarugbyleague?si=8toVQXBhjCWHVAKE

CANADA SQUAD

Maddy Aberg, Jessica Batemen, Dani Franada, Ale Lewis (Alberta Broncos), Ada Okonkwo (BC Storm), Lauren Mueller (London Broncos), Savannah Bacchus, Rachel Choboter (Mt Albert), Brittany Jones (Alberta Broncos), Fedelia Angeles, Sara Canini, Andie Girard, Beth Hofstetter, Eleta Mitton, Natasha Naismith, Canada Scholten, Natalie Tam, Tamisha Toussaint, Petra Woods (Ontario Ospreys)

JAMAICA SQUAD

Alicia Richards, Moesha Bogle, Shanice Stewart, Shanique Smith,  Sherine  Johnson (Duhaney Park Red Sharks) Kaya-Jo Laing (Featherstone), Elyse Royal (Halifax), Gianna Noble-Cunningham (Henley Hawks), Aniya Smith (Jacksonville)  Shoya Gordon,  Mackayla McCalla, (Jamaica Defence Force), Makeda Lewis (Old Albanians), Veronica Blair (North Bay), Darcey Price, (Salford), Dejonaye Cole (St Bess Sledge Hammers), Kamoya Forrest, (Tampa), Debisha Scarlett, Tarja Richards, (Washington Blvd. Bulls), Chevelle Clarke (York)

USA SQUAD

Miranda Barnard, Christine Sargent, Haley Sheldon, Taylor White (Jacksonville JaxAxe Women), Courtney Treco (London Broncos), Tiara A'au, Sarah Esther Anderson, , Ashley Mencke, ShaMarica Scott (New York State Queens), Jeanna Beard (San Diego Barracudas), MarCaya Bailous, Samantha Black, Rachael Bradley, Cynthia Campbell, Nicole Fisch, Narcisse Jordan, Robyn Oliveri, Kadie Sanford, Stacia Thompson, (Tampa Mischief)

USA PIONEERS SQUAD

Chyna Hamm (California Rugby League), Jordan Day, Gabrielle Lea Young, Samantha Bickman, (Jacksonville JaxAxe Women), Erin Walsh, (Los Angeles Mongrel), Antgetina Bean, Laura Beth Baker, Lucinda Darvell , Phoebe Caudill, Caroline Drumgoole , HP Fluharty (New York State Queens), Bee Blackman, San Diego Barracudas), Cailan Donegan, Katelyn Ferguson, Ella Miller, Mijjar Rashel Munganga, Wanita Rodriguez, Tiffeny Wysockii , Brittany Schmidt (Tampa Mischief)