Jillaroos stars believe the decision to schedule their World Cup matches in prime time will elevate the profile of the all-conquering Australian team and inspire more girls to play the game.

The move is recognition of the Jillaroos as one of the best teams in any code and the standing of the NRLW as the world’s top female contact sports competition.

The three-time World Cup winners will kick off their RLWC26 campaign against Fetu Samoa at CommBank Stadium on Friday October 16.

The match is part of a double-header with Toa Samoa and France, who will play at 5.45pm AEDT before the Jillaroos clash with the Fetu, the No.5 ranked women’s team according to the latest IRL World Rankings, at 8.05pm AEDT.

With Channel 7 to broadcast their matches in premium time slots, the athleticism, skill and physicality of Jillaroos stars such as Isabelle Kelly, Julia Robinson, Tamika Upton and Tiana Penitani Gray will be showcased to large audiences.

Robinson's sensational aerial try against Samoa went viral, with Matildas superstar Sam Kerr among those to share it on social media, and Penitani Gray said such feats would now gain even greater exposure in the World Cup.

“I think that is such an exciting prospect, showcasing the best rugby league team in the country on a world stage and if it is a successful campaign, it just draws more eye to the game, which could boost participation and boost fans," Penitani Gray said.

“We saw what impact the FIFA Women’s World Cup had a couple of years ago and I think it will have a similar effect, just seeing how much the participation rates have risen with girls playing rugby league and seeing their heroes.

“You can’t be what you can’t see, so I think the ripple effect of having a home World Cup will be enormous for our game.”

After opening the women's tournament against Samoa, the Jillaroos travel to Perth to play England on Saturday October 24 in the second match of a double-header with the England-France men's clash.

The Jillaroos match will again be broadcast at 8.05pm AEDT and co-captain Ali Brigginshaw welcomed the opportunity for the team to play in prime time on Channel 7.

“We want people to know who the Jillaroos are, we want people across the world to talk about this team and its dominance,” Brigginshaw said.

“I think we have shown why we are the best in the world, and I am sure there is going to be more people talking about who the Jillaroos are.”

The Jillaroos' final pool match against Wales will kick off a triple-header at CommBank Stadium on Sunday, November 1, featuring Lebanon v France and the eagerly awaited Samoa-Tonga clash.

Brigginshaw, who has been player-of-the-match in the previous two World Cup finals in 2017 and 2022, said the increased exposure of the Jillaroos would inspire more girls to play the game.

“It is about elevating our game and getting people talking about it,” Brigginshaw said. “I remember when there were times that I played when people didn’t speak about us.

“We always want to be spreading the name of the Jillaroos and for younger girls to be really proud of the jersey and want to pull on the green-and-gold knowing that the Jillaroos are world class.”

For tickets and more information head to RLWC2026.com