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Lebanese Cedars Make Waves at 2026 Rugby Cup With Dramatic Win Over France
The Lebanese Cedars have given fans a reason to celebrate after closing their 2026 Rugby League World Cup campaign with a nail-biting victory over France. The team secured a 24-20 win in Sydney, Australia, on November 1, in a match that came down to the very last moments.
The match remained close until the final minutes, with France managing to tie the score at 20-20 and send the game into extra time. Lebanon eventually secured the win thanks to Abbas Miski, who intercepted a French kick and ran the ball in for the winning try in the 85th minute, bringing the final score to 24-20.
It was a strong finish for the Cedars, who managed to close their World Cup run with a win.
The Cedars’ journey at this year’s tournament wasn’t without its challenges. They faced Papua New Guinea and Tonga earlier in the competition, losing both matches before turning things around against France.
About the team
Although the win wasn’t enough to secure them a place in the knockout stages, the team represents something bigger than its results. The Cedars are largely made up of Australia-based players of Lebanese descent, many of whom grew up playing rugby in Australia while maintaining a connection to their Lebanese roots. They may be based thousands of kilometers away, but they continue to represent Lebanon on the international stage.
The 2026 tournament marked the Cedars’ fourth appearance at the Rugby League World Cup, following previous campaigns in 2000, 2017, and 2022. Their participation continues to put Lebanon on the map in a sport that doesn’t always receive much attention locally.
Although the Cedars won’t be moving on to the next stage of the competition, they certainly gave fans something to remember with their final performance. Make sure to stay updated on their journey by following the Lebanon Rugby League on Instagram!
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