The first Rugby League World Cup was held in France in 1954. The prime motivators behind the idea of holding rugby league world cup were the French, who were short of money following the seizing of their assets by the rugby union in World War II.

A group stage was held first, with France (who finished second in the table, level on points) in the final, which was held at the Charlety Stadium, Paris, in front of around 30,000 spectators.

Results

Group stages

• October 30: France 22 - 13 New Zealand (Paris)
• October 31: Australia 13 - 28 Great Britain (Lyon)
• November 7: France 13 - 13 Great Britain (Toulouse)
• November 7: Australia 34 - 15 New Zealand (Marseilles)
• November 11: Great Britain 26 - 6 New Zealand (Bordeaux)
• November 11: France 15 - 5 Australia (Nantes)

League standings

Team	Played	Won	Drew	Lost	For	Against	Difference	Points
Great Britain	3	2	1	0	57	32	25	5
France	3	2	1	0	50	31	19	5
Australia	3	1	0	2	52	58	-6	2
New Zealand	3	0	0	3	34	82	-48	0

Final

• November 13: France 12 - 16 Great Britain (Charlety Stadium, Paris)

Other Rugby League World Cups

1954 - 1957 - 1960 - 1968 - 1970 - 1972 - 1975 - 1977 - 1985 to 1988 - 1989 to 1992 - 1995 - 2000 - 2008