Group A

Australia

Captain Cameron Smith Coach Mal Meninga

Fourteen World Cups, 10 titles. For the Australians anything other than lifting the trophy in Brisbane on 2 December will be a complete failure. There have been setbacks in preparation for the defence of the trophy they won at Old Trafford four years ago, not least the injury which curtailed the season of the brilliant half-back Johnathan Thurston. But with the abundance of riches Mal Meninga had available to select from this autumn, it would have taken a litany of big-name withdrawals to see them reach the starting line anything other than favourites. Few would back against the Kangaroos again.

One to watch: Cameron Munster The young half-back has impressed for the NRL champions, Melbourne, this season. If he gets a chance in the group stage, expect him to take it.

Success would be … For Australia, there is only one option: winning. Nothing else matters.

England

Captain Sean O’Loughlin Coach Wayne Bennett

The four years of international excursions since the heartbreaking World Cup semi-final defeat to New Zealand make it difficult to quantify what would represent a good tournament for England. There are some – well within reason, you could argue – who suggest that if England return home without the Paul Barrière trophy, it has been a failure. That may be true, but if England can at least show they are the best of the rest behind Australia and reach a first final since 1995, that will be progress of a kind. Victory in Friday’s opener against the Kangaroos would make that task much easier.

One to watch: Luke Gale

Undoubtedly Super League’s best player in 2017, the world will be watching to see if the Castleford half-back can transfer that form on to the world stage.

Success would be … Winning the final is the goal – but getting there would represent progress.

France

Théo Fages, pictured here scoring a try for St Helens, will be France’s main man. Photograph: Lee Smith/Action Images

Captain Théo Fages Coach Aurélien Cologni

At first glance, it is hard to argue anything other than the French are in a battle with Lebanon for the third and final qualifying spot from Group A. There is the usual blend of youth and experience in their squad – but Sunday’s game against Lebanon is all-or-nothing.

One to watch: Théo Fages The St Helens half-back is undoubtedly France’s one genuine star.

Success would be … Making the quarter-finals. Anything else would be a real bonus.

Lebanon

Captain Robbie Farah Coach Brad Fittler

Lebanon make a welcome return to the World Cup fold, 17 years on from their only other appearance. This time, they have some experienced NRL talent in their ranks – and the credentials to cause one or two nervy moments for the bigger sides in Group A.

One to watch: Mitchell Moses The Wests Tigers 23-year-old has the potential to be a World Cup revelation for the Cedars.

Success would be … Pipping France to the third qualifying spot in Group A would be huge.

Group B

New Zealand

Captain Adam Blair Coach David Kidwell

Internal suspensions, big names switching allegiances and more; if ever there was a checklist for how not to prepare for a World Cup, New Zealand would have ticked nearly all the boxes this year. The side, although still fearsome on their day, will be much-changed from the one that beat England in last year’s Four Nations but recent history has shown that you write the 2008 world champions off at your peril.

One to watch: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck With so many big names unavailable or pledging allegiance to Tonga, the onus will be on the likes of Tuivasa-Sheck to fulfil the New Zealand public’s lofty ambitions.

Success would be … The 2008 winners will be targeting another final at least.

Scotland

Captain Danny Brough Coach Steve McCormack

Scotland’s incredible draw against New Zealand in last year’s Four Nations remains that tournament’s most memorable moment: though the prospect of anything similar this year seems remote. The NRL experience of Lachlan Coote and Peter Wallace is missing, leaving Steve McCormack relying heavily on youth. It will be tough for the Bravehearts this autumn.

One to watch: Danny Brough Undoubtedly the man who carries Scottish hopes on his shoulders.

Success would be … Matching 2013’s run to the quarter-finals would be impressive this year.

Samoa

Captain Frank Pritchard Coach Matt Parish

With New Zealand and Tonga widely expected to breeze through Group B, Samoa look as though they will be in a two-way battle with Scotland for the final qualifying place. Watch out for them, though; they have talent and experience aplenty and will be no write-off.

One to watch: Ben Roberts A star in Super League with Castleford this season.

Success would be … Upsetting one of the more fancied nations and making the semi-finals.

Tonga

Jason Taumalolo will provide Tonga with a huge threat. Photograph: Matt King/Getty Images

Captain Sika Manu Coach Kristian Woolf

Kristian Woolf has been able to call on perhaps the strongest Tongan squad in history because of a raft of allegiance switches from several established New Zealanders, leaving some believing they are perhaps even capable of troubling the world’s best sides. They could be right but their squad looks light in the half-back department.

One to watch: Jason Taumalolo Even in a star-studded squad, the former Golden Boot winner stands out.

Success would be … With their impressive talent, anything but the final four would be a failure.

Group C

Papua New Guinea

Captain David Mead Coach Michael Marum

Wales, USA and Ireland are the visiting teams to Port Moresby in this year’s World Cup. Those three games will be fascinating and home advantage will be key if Papua New Guinea are to improve on their performance in 2013, when they failed to reach the knockout stage.

One to watch: Garry Lo A free-scoring, impressive winger in England’s Championship with Sheffield Eagles.

Success would be … A quarter-final place and some impressive wins on home soil.

Wales

Captain Craig Kopczak Coach John Kear

Encouragingly for Welsh rugby league, there is a fine crop of young talent sprinkled throughout Kear’s squad for this tournament. But while that bodes well for the future, it may make this year’s World Cup something of a learning curve in a tricky group.

One to watch: Morgan Knowles The highly rated St Helens forward has a big future in the game.

Success would be … Going one better than 2013 and winning a game would be a big step.

Ireland

Captain Liam Finn Coach Mark Aston

Traditionally the weakest of all four home nations, Ireland look like a side who could cause an upset or two this time around. They have been able to call on some big-name Super League experience – and they may even fancy stunning Papua New Guinea in their own backyard, too.

One to watch: Michael McIlorum The Wigan hooker will be a pivotal player for the Irish throughout.

Success would be … Ireland may quietly fancy a quarter-final berth – but they must win in PNG.

Group D

Fiji

Jarryd Hayne will play for Fiji after returning to rugby league from the NFL. Photograph: Dan Peled/AAP

Captain Kevin Naiqama Coach Mick Potter

Fiji are almost the forgotten nation of this year’s World Cup. With all eyes on the big names in the Tongan and Samoan squads, the semi-finalists of 2013 will surely find it much more difficult to repeat their exploits of four years ago this time.

One to watch: Jarryd Hayne After his short-lived stint in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers, Hayne is back in his first love of rugby league. He will be huge for the Fijians.

Success would be … Repeating their run to the semi-finals from four years ago in a stronger field.

USA

Captain Mark Offerdahl Coach Brian McDermott

With rugby league likely heading to New York in 2019, now would be an ideal time for the national side to catapult themselves into mainstream-media attention in the States. If they make the quarter-finals again like they did in 2013, they will be creating headlines for the right reasons.

One to watch: Bureta Faraimo The Hull FC-bound winger is one of the Tomahawks’ best players.

Success would be … With an inexperienced squad, escaping Group D at all would be impressive.

Italy

Captain Mark Minichiello Coach Cameron Ciraldo

Rugby league is on the rise in Italy – and with a number of hugely experienced players in his ranks, Cameron Ciraldo will be quietly confident of causing a shock or two. Italy are worth keeping an eye on.

One to watch: Mirco Bergamasco The Italian rugby union legend has switched codes to lead the Azzurri’s charge here.

Success would be … Beating Fiji to top spot and making the quarter-finals would get people talking.