Kiraz Puts National Pride Over Honeymoon for Lebanon's 2026 World Cup Run

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs utility back Jacob Kiraz will delay his wedding honeymoon to spearhead Lebanon's campaign at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup. 

The star back intentionally scheduled his wedding for the single free weekend between the NRL Grand Final on October 4 and the start of the international test window. Kiraz and his partner, Erian, will put their vacation plans on hold so he can fly straight to Port Moresby for the Lebanon tournament opener against Papua New Guinea on October 17. 

"I have always wanted to represent Lebanon, especially with the World Cup falling this year," Kiraz stated during the launch. "The previous tournament was one of the absolute best moments of my life. Since we play in PNG the very next week, the honeymoon will just have to wait."

Historic Squad Depth for the Cedars

The Lebanese national team officially launched its campaign at NSWRL Headquarters, showcasing its new home and away jerseys ahead of its highly anticipated pool matches. Following the opening match in PNG, the Cedars will return to Sydney's CommBank Stadium to play Tonga on October 23 and France on November 1. 

This year's lineup features an unprecedented contingent of NRL top-tier talent and rising prospects: 

• NRL Veterans: Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels), Adam Doueihi (Wests Tigers), Alex Twal (Wests Tigers), and speedster Jason Saab (Manly Sea Eagles). 
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• Emerging Talents: Jordan Samrani, Tony Sukkar, Tony Francis, Tupou Francis, Michael Gabrael, and highly-touted Bulldogs playmaker Alex Conti. 

"This will likely be the most formidable roster we have ever assembled on the field," Kiraz remarked. “We have an incredible depth of young players coming through alongside established veterans.

Elite Coaching Infrastructure

The team's administrative and coaching framework has also received a massive boost. New Zealand Warriors CEO Cameron George has formally joined the Lebanon Rugby League board as an independent director. 

On the field, head coach Michael Cheika returns to lead the squad alongside assistant coach Matt King. King remains fully committed to the Cedars' World Cup campaign before transitioning to his newly appointed role as the head coach for the NSW State of Origin team. 

Eels halfback Mitchell Moses praised the standard set by the coaching staff. "I have never seen someone control a room as effectively as Cheika," Moses recalled. "The support and growth we've experienced since the 2017 tournament has been incredible, and the standard keeps climbing every year."