At the end of this year, sixteen nations will contest the Rugby League World Cup. Most casual fans would know about Australia, New Zealand and England; but over the coming weeks, we’ll introduce you to some of the other teams.

Lebanon, known as “The Cedars” will be contesting their third World Cup in 2022. They showed plenty of heart in 2000 before going out in the group stages, and reached the quarter-finals of the 2017 tournament under the leadership of Robbie Farah and the coaching of Brad Fittler.

The team was formed by Lebanese Australians in 1997, and has been administered by the Lebanese Rugby League Federation since 2002. A lack of preparation saw Lebanon miss qualification for the 2008 World Cup; while they were unlucky to miss out in 2013 after playing a 19-19 draw with Italy in their final pool game.

The 2017 team was beaten 24-22 by Tonga in the quarter-finals, which earned Lebanon automatic entry into this year’s tournament. Coached by former Australian rugby head coach, Michael Cheika, the team may include NRL stars such as Mitchell Moses, Adam Doueihi; and try scoring winger Abbas Miski who currently plays for Wigan in the English Super League.

Lebanon have drawn New Zealand, Ireland and Jamaica in their pool. With a full strength team and some luck, the Cedars may once again look forward to qualifying for the quarter-finals.