Can Michael Cheika’s Lebanon claim victory against the co-hosts in Port Moresby?
Watch Papua New Guinea vs Lebanon in the Rugby World Cup opener for both must-win teams.
– Date: Saturday 17.10.2026
– Start time: 5.25 BST / 3.25 AEDT / 5.25 NZDT / 12.25 EDT / 9.25 PDT (Friday)
– Free transfer: 7 Plus (Australia)
– Other Live Streams: Premier Sports (UK, Ireland, USA), Sky Sport (New Zealand)
– Watch from anywhere: Try NordVPN 100% risk free
Co-hosts Papua New Guinea will not be struggling for support in the opening game of the tournament and the atmosphere at the Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby is sure to be electric on Saturday afternoon. They know they have games against Samoa (who beat France 78-4 on Friday) and England and will be desperate for a win to keep them in contention for a place in the knockout stages. (They reached the quarterfinals four years ago.)
Lebanon face an uphill battle to emulate their previous best performance at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, when they qualified for the knockout stages. They have established themselves as regulars in the competition (this is their third tournament in a row), but their biggest name is probably on the touchline, where the former Australian and Argentina rugby union boss Michael Cheika assumes responsibility for the party.
Read on to find out everything you need to know to watch Papua New Guinea vs Lebanon online, on TV and from anywhere – including the option to watch for free in Australia. Scroll down to the bottom of the article for team lineups.
Can I watch Papua New Guinea vs Lebanon for free?
Rugby league fans in Australia can watch Papua New Guinea v Lebanon for free – along with all other Rugby World Cup 2026 matches – on Seven and its 7plus streaming service. You just need to create a free account with your email address to get started.
The good news for Australians currently traveling overseas is that you can still access your usual free 7plus service until using a VPN to avoid geoblocking restrictions that might otherwise get in the way. Read on to find out more.
Other ways to watch Papua New Guinea vs Lebanon
United Kingdom
Premier Sports shows Papua New Guinea – Lebanon live streaming in the UK, as is the case for every game of the Rugby World Cup 2026.
For UK viewers a Premier Sports online subscription costs £18.99 a month on a basic basis, £13.99 a month on a one-year contract, or £150 a year (£12.50 a month) if you pay upfront. Works on a variety of apps and devices.
You can also tune in to Premier Sports on your TV via Sky Q, Prime Video, STV Player and Virgin Media. The variable monthly cost is, again, £18.99, although other offers are available on certain platforms.
Ireland
It is also Premier Sports in Ireland for that Papua New Guinea – Lebanon live stream. Sky Sports subscribers can add Premier Sports as part of the Sports Extra package (which also includes TNT Sports). This costs €10 per month for the first six months, before increasing to €25 per month for the next six months.
Premier Sports is also available with Now Sports Extra membership (daily and monthly memberships available from €11.99 per month) and via Virgin Media – check the provider’s website for details.
New Zealand
Sky Sports NZ is the place to watch live Papua New Guinea vs Lebanon in New Zealand. Sky Sports Now Subscriptions are available for $29.99 per day, $59.99 per month, or $549.99 per year.
United States of America
Rugby league fans in the USA need to get going Premier Sports watch Papua New Guinea v Lebanon live streaming. The RLWC26 Pass, which gives you access to all 53 games of the men’s, women’s and wheelchair tournament, will cost you $25.
Around the world
If you are connecting from another country, Premier Sports is probably a good bet for Papua New Guinea vs Lebanon live. The provider owns the rights to the 2026 Rugby League World Cup in over 120 countries, so it’s a good place to start. Prices vary by region.
How to watch Papua New Guinea vs Lebanon from anywhere
Being away from home doesn’t have to stop you from watching Papua New Guinea – Lebanon live streams. A VPN bypasses geoblocking by changing your IP address, allowing you to stream the game as if you were at home.
Technological experts in TechRadar and Tom’s guide rank NordVPN as number one in the world, thanks to the low price and the unsurpassed ability to unblock streaming services.
Lineups of Papua New Guinea and Lebanon
Papua New Guinea
1. Purple Purple
2. Robert Derby
3. Zac Laybutt
4. Nene Macdonald
5. Dudley Dotoi
6. Gairo Voro
7. Bailey Biondi-Odo
8. Valentine Richard
9. Edwin Ipape
10. Luca Moretti
11. Rhyse Martin (captain)
12. Nixon Putt
13. Jack De Belin
Exchange:
14. Finley Glare
15. Liam Horne
16. Epel Cemetery
17. Sylvester Namo
Lebanon
2. Tony Francis
3. Michael Gabriel
4. Jordan Samrani
5. Jason Saab
6. Khaled Rajab
7. Alex Conti
8. Jaxson Rahme
9. Yehya Ayache
10. James Romanos
11. Tony Sukkar
12. Charbel Tassipale
13. Alex Twal (captain)
Exchange:
15. Mikael Ibrahim
16. Jalal Bazzaz
17. Khalil Rahme
Officials
Referee: Grant Atkins
Touch referees: Michael Wise, Jarrod Cole
Senior Review Officer: Liam Kennedy
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