The official draw has been made for the 2025 World Aquatics U20 Men’s Water Polo Championships, which will be held from 14 to 21 June in Zagreb, Croatia. The tournament brings together twenty national teams from across the globe to compete at one of Europe’s most iconic water polo venues — the SP Mladost pool complex.
Tournament Draw
The 20 teams have been split into six groups:
- Group A: United States, Hungary, Croatia, Montenegro
- Group B: Greece, Serbia, Italy, Spain
- Group C: Brazil, Germany, South Africa
- Group D: Kazakhstan, Iran, New Zealand
- Group E: Colombia, Argentina, Australia
- Group F: Canada, China, Singapore
Group A and Group B are particularly competitive, featuring several powerhouses of world water polo. Hosts Croatia will face stern competition in Group A alongside Hungary—the reigning champions—while Group B includes all four teams from the top five of the 2023 edition.
Tournament Format In Short
The 20 teams are split into two, informally called, divisions – the higher one with eight teams and the lower one with twelve teams. After the group stage:
- All eight teams from Division 1 and
- The top four teams from Division 2
will advance to the championship knockout phase and continue their fight for medals.
The remaining eight teams from Division 2 will play in classification matches to determine 13th to 20th place.
This format ensures competitive balance while providing opportunities for emerging water polo nations to gain international experience.
Venue: SP Mladost Pool Complex
The championships will take place at the indoor pool of the SP Mladost complex, a legendary site in Croatian and international water polo history. Built in 1987 for the Universiade, the complex features both a 50m indoor and 50m outdoor Olympic-standard pool. The indoor pool seats up to 1,200 spectators, while additional seating around the outdoor pool can raise capacity to around 2,000.
SP Mladost has previously hosted major international competitions, including the European Championships, LEN Champions League matches, and World League tournaments. Warm-ups and training sessions during the U20 Championships will be held in the outdoor pool.
Background and Expectations
Hungary enters as the defending champions, having defeated Serbia 12–7 in the final of the 2023 tournament. The United States achieved a historic result in that edition, claiming their first-ever medal in the competition with an 11–6 win over Greece for bronze.
Zagreb’s tournament will be a key event in showcasing the next generation of international talent, with several players expected to make senior debuts in upcoming continental and Olympic cycles.
Key Dates
- 12 June – Training and transport begin
- 13 June – Coaches and team leader meetings
- 14–21 June – Competition period
- 22 June – Departure and end of services
About the Host City
Zagreb is Croatia’s capital and a prominent centre for water polo development. The city’s club HAVK Mladost is one of Europe’s most successful water polo institutions, having won the Champions League multiple times. With a passionate local fanbase and a strong tradition in the sport, the city provides an ideal setting for a major youth competition.
For further information, including match schedules and results, visit worldaquatics.com.
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