Brian McDermott, the head coach for the England rugby league team, has publicly criticized the format of the current Rugby League World Cup. Following a difficult start to the tournament, including an opening loss to Tonga, McDermott suggested that England’s chances of reaching the semi-finals are slim. He characterized the tournament's structure as "harsh," pointing to the reduction in participating teams from 16 to 10 as a primary issue.

The tournament’s format was altered following France's withdrawal as host, which led to Australia stepping in. Financial constraints necessitated the reduction in the number of teams, resulting in a unique structure where different nations face varying levels of jeopardy depending on their group. England is currently competing in a three-nation group, but the qualification process relies on a combined six-team table, which McDermott implies creates an unfair or overly difficult path for his squad. While the coach acknowledges the team's performance, he places significant weight on the structural limitations of the competition as a factor in their potential early exit.