Wales will begin their preparations for the Women's Rugby League World Cup 2026 with an historic hit out against the Canada Ravens in July.

Wales will take on the Ravens at The Gnoll on Sunday, July 19 (3pm kick-off), as preparations continue ahead of RLWC2026 tournament being staged in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea later this year.

The side has made history, becoming the first Wales women's teams to qualify for a World Cup following their successful passage through the European RLWC2026 qualifying matches.

Drawn in a challenging pool that will see them take on familiar rivals England, emerging Pasifika powerhouse Samoa and defending champions Australia, the game against Canada will prove key in Wales coach Tom Brindle calculations.

Photo: Bethan Dainton will lead Wales to their first women's World Cup.

The match will be the first meeting between to two nations and is set to be a competitive fixture, with the Ravens providing a strong test for Wales, captained by Bethan Dainton, after competing in both the 2017 and 2022 World Cups.

Canada last played in last year's inaugural World Series, where they joined Ireland, Nigeria and eventual winners Fiji in competing for the eighth and final women's berth for RLWC2026.

Ravens coach Matt Barron said the tour to Wales would also provide a huge boost for his side as they set their sights on a World Cup return in 2030.

"While it’s a great preparation fixture for Wales ahead of the World Cup, it’s also a really valuable opportunity for us," Barron said.

"It gives the Ravens a high-quality international Test as we continue building towards our 2030 World Cup qualifying campaign.

"It’s also a chance to bring new players into the environment, particularly the ones identified through our National Tournament in BC and our wider pathway programs and expose them to that international standard.

"That experience is critical for the long-term growth of the group.

"The tour came about through conversations I initiated with Tom Brindle, Andy Gilvary and James Davies at Wales Rugby League.

"Even before our World Series match against Fiji, we were already looking ahead, making sure we continue to play the most competitive fixtures possible while building strong relationships across the women’s, men’s and Under 19 pathways.

"I’ve known James for a long time through WRL playing pathways, and there was a real shared enthusiasm to grow that connection.

"This tour is a natural next step in strengthening ties between the two programs."

Ravens stars Megan Pakulis and Petra Wood are playing for York Valkeryie in the Women's Super League.

A number of other experienced Ravens players took part in the recent NRL Las Vegas Nines tournament held earlier this year and are currently playing in the Ontario Rugby League women's competition, along with other aspiring national players.

Photo: Canada Ravens have played in the past two World Cups but missed out on a berth at RLWC2026 to Fiji. @Diego Guillen

"The competition has been really exciting," Barron said.

"In just its second year, we’re already seeing new players coming into the game, which is hugely important for the growth of rugby league in Canada.

"The competition has been competitive, and that speaks to the quality of rugby players we have in Ontario. We need to continue to engage and connect with them.

"Competitions like this are vital for the Ravens program. We simply don’t play enough rugby league in Canada and training sessions alone aren’t enough to prepare players for the demands of international rugby.

"The more opportunities players have to compete regularly, the better prepared they’ll be to step into international rugby league."

Wales will open their Rugby League World Cup campaign on Saturday, October 17 against England in Perth, before heading to Sydney to face Fetu Samoa and the Jillaroos on October 23 and November 1.

Rugby League World Cup 2026 returns to Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. Where nations clash, heroes rise, and legends are forged. 3 World Cups. 26 Teams. The World’s Best. Tickets are now on sale from $19. Don’t miss the pinnacle of global Rugby League.