Ayache named in Lebanon World Cup squad
Rabbitohs pathways hooker Yehya Ayache has been named in Lebanon's 23-man squad for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.
Ayache will represent the Cedars at the tournament, which opens on Thursday, 15 October, and concludes with the Men's Final at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Sunday, 15 November. Lebanon, coached by Michael Cheika, has been drawn to face Papua New Guinea, Tonga and France in the group stage.
Lebanon's Group Games:
Saturday, 17 October, 3:25pm local: Papua New Guinea v Lebanon, Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby (Round 1)
Friday, 23 October, 8:05pm: Tonga v Lebanon, CommBank Stadium, Sydney (Round 2)
Sunday, 1 November, 5:40pm: Lebanon v France, CommBank Stadium, Sydney (Round 3)
Ayache was a mainstay of the Rabbitohs' Knock On Effect NSW Cup side in 2026, starting 11 games at hooker. He stepped up from Jersey Flegg, where he played 21 games and scored five tries for South Sydney in 2025 after beginning his under-21 career with Parramatta.
The Patrician Brothers' College Fairfield junior made his Lebanon Test debut in October 2025, starting at hooker in the Cedars' World Cup build-up match against Italy at Lidcombe Oval. The Rugby League World Cup will be his first major international tournament.
Lebanon's 23-Man Squad
- Mohamed Alameddine
- Yehya Ayache
- Jalal Bazzaz
- Alex Conti
- Ibrahim El Labban
- Tony Francis
- Tupou Francis
- Michael Gabrael
- Mikael Ibrahim
- Moustafa Dirani
- Jacob Kiraz
- Abbas Miski
- Brad Morkos
- Joseph Nohra
- Khaled Rajab
- Jaxson Rahme
- Khalil Rahme
- James Roumanos
- Jason Saab
- Jordan Samrani
- Tony Sukkar
- Charbel Tasipale
- Alex Twal
South Sydney congratulates Yehya Ayache on his selection.
