The draw for the 2026 World Aquatics Men’s U18 Water Polo Championships has produced a blockbuster opening phase, with the top three teams from the previous edition all placed in the same group.
Set to take place in Rio Maior from June 27 to July 4, the tournament will feature 20 nations battling for the world title across two divisions.
Division 1 Group A has immediately emerged as one of the most competitive groups seen at youth level in recent years. Reigning world champions Hungary will face 2024 runners-up Serbia and bronze medallists Montenegro, with Croatia completing a formidable quartet.
All four nations are traditional powerhouses of international water polo, and the group promises several high-level encounters during the opening stage of the competition.
Meanwhile, Division 1 Group B also contains plenty of quality, with Spain, United States, Italy and China set to compete for direct qualification to the knockout rounds.
The tournament structure sees the eight highest-ranked nations in the World Aquatics Men’s U18 rankings placed into Division 1, while the remaining 12 teams will begin in Division 2.
The top two teams from each Division 1 group will advance directly to the quarter-finals. Teams finishing third and fourth in Division 1 will move into crossover matches, where they will face the winners of the Division 2 groups for the remaining quarter-final places.
Division 2 features several nations aiming to cause an upset and progress into the knockout stages. Hosts Portugal are drawn alongside Argentina and Canada in Group F, while Greece headline Group E together with South Africa and Australia.
2026 World Men’s U18 Championships Draw
Division 1
Group A: Croatia, Hungary, Montenegro, Serbia
Group B: China, Spain, USA, Italy
Division 2
Group C: Colombia, Singapore, New Zealand
Group D: Türkiye, Hong Kong China, Brazil
Group E: South Africa, Greece, Australia
Group F: Argentina, Portugal, Canada
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