The draw for the 2026 European Men’s Water Polo Championships will be held on Saturday evening in Belgrade, the host city of the tournament. The competition runs from 10–25 January in the Serbian capital.
Teams and Draw Pots
Sixteen teams will take part, continuing the format used since 2016. The lineup was finalized in June after qualification events:
Pot 1 (1st–4th, 2024 ECH): Spain, Croatia, Italy, Hungary
Pot 2 (5th–8th, 2024 ECH): Greece, Montenegro, Serbia, Romania
Pot 3 (Qual. winners): France, Georgia, Netherlands, Slovakia
Pot 4 (Qual. runners-up): Turkiye, Slovenia, Malta, Israel
The only change compared to the 2024 Championships is the absence of Germany, replaced by Turkiye, who return after a six-year gap. The Turks eliminated Germany in the qualifiers, marking the first time in history that Germany failed to qualify for the European Championships.
New Competition Format
European Aquatics has introduced a new system for Belgrade 2026 – the second major reform in less than four years. The division-based format used in Zagreb/Dubrovnik 2024 has been abandoned.
Key details of the new formula:
- Group Stage I: Four groups (A–D), four teams each.
- Group Stage II: Top three from each group progress into two new groups (E & F).
- Group E: A1, A2, A3, C1, C2, C3
- Group F: B1, B2, B3, D1, D2, D3
- Carryover results: Teams keep results against opponents they already faced.
- Knockouts: Only semifinals remain. The top two teams from Groups E & F advance.
- Classification matches: 3rd–6th places decided via direct playoffs (E3 vs F3 for 5th, etc.).
- 13th–16th place: The fourth-placed teams from Groups A–D form a separate group.
This means there will be no quarterfinal stage, a significant change in the structure of major European competitions.
Historical Context
The quarterfinals have traditionally been the defining round at recent Europeans and World Championships. Favorites often progressed, but many campaigns were undone in that single match. Under the new system, teams will need to show consistency across both group stages, as early results could carry decisive weight later in the tournament.
Belgrade as Host
Belgrade will stage the Men’s Europeans for the third time (2006, 2016, 2026), once again at the Belgrade Arena.
- In 2016, the final between Serbia and Montenegro set a record attendance of 18,473 spectators, the highest ever for a water polo match.
- Originally, both men’s and women’s events were scheduled for Belgrade, but a joint decision by European Aquatics and the Serbian federation shifted the women’s competition to Madeira, Portugal (26 January – 5 February 2026).
Key Notes
- Dates: 10–25 January 2026
- Venue: Belgrade Arena
- Teams: 16 (first time Germany will not participate)
- Format: Two group stages, semifinals only
The 2026 edition will mark the first major test of this new competition system, with coaches, players, and federations closely watching to see how it reshapes the road to medals.
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