The third edition of the reshaped Water Polo World Cup—which replaced the former World League—will be staged in 2026 with a significantly expanded field and a revised competition format for both men and women.
Division 1 and Division 2 tournaments will take place in April, culminating in a Final Eight tournament in Sydney in July. Compared to the first two editions of the new World Cup, the number of participating nations has grown markedly, underlining the competition’s increasing importance within the international calendar.
Men’s World Cup: Bigger Field, Leaner Division 1
A total of 34 men’s teams have entered the 2026 Men’s World Cup, a sharp rise from 20 teams in 2023 and 23 in 2025.
World Aquatics has also adjusted the format. Division 1 has been reduced from 12 teams to eight, with eligibility limited to:
- The top seven nations in the World Aquatics Rankings as of September 30, 2025
- The winner of the 2025 Division 2
Division 1 (Men)
- Dates: April 7–12, 2026
- Venue: Alexandroupolis, Greece
- Teams: Spain, Greece, Hungary, Serbia, Croatia, Italy, USA (top 7 in rankings), Netherlands (2025 Division 2 winners)
The top six teams from Alexandroupolis will qualify for the World Cup Final in Sydney, which will be played in a straight Final Eight format (quarterfinals, semifinals, and medal matches).
Division 2 (Men)
- Dates: April 7–13, 2026
- Venue: Malta
While World Aquatics has yet to officially confirm the entries, the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta announced a 26-nation field:
Malta, Germany, Russia, Georgia, Poland, Slovakia, Türkiye, Romania, Ukraine, Slovenia, France, Montenegro, Portugal, Great Britain, South Africa, Brazil, Canada, Argentina, Japan, Kazakhstan, Iran, China, Singapore, South Korea, New Zealand, and Australia.
Australia, as host of the Final Eight, is already qualified for Sydney. As a result, the remaining teams in Division 2 will compete for just one available ticket to the Final Eight, making the tournament exceptionally competitive.
World Championships Qualification Stakes
Beyond silverware, the World Cup carries major qualification consequences. For several nations, it represents the final or only route to the 2027 World Championships in Budapest, including Russia, which returns to international competition after a five-year absence.
Three teams from the World Cup Final in Sydney will qualify for the World Championships. Hungary are already qualified as hosts, while Spain, Greece, and Serbia have secured places via their results at the 2025 World Championships.
In addition, Italy, Croatia, and Montenegro are guaranteed World Championship berths regardless of World Cup outcomes, as they are assured of finishing among the three best non-qualified European teams.
The remaining World Championship places are expected to be allocated through continental championships:
- Europe: 3
- Asia: 2
- Americas: 2
- Africa: 1
- Oceania: 1
The exact qualification mechanism has not yet been formally confirmed by World Aquatics.
Women’s World Cup: Strong Line-Ups Across Both Divisions
The women’s competition will also feature a broad international field.
Division 1 (Women)
- Dates: May 1–6, 2026
- Venue: Rotterdam
- Teams: Greece, Hungary, Netherlands, Spain, Australia, Italy, USA (top 7 in rankings), Japan (2025 Division 2 winners)
Division 2 (Women)
- Dates: April 21–26, 2026
- Venue: Malta
According to the ASA of Malta, the participating nations will be:
Malta, Germany, Russia, Czech Republic, Israel, Slovakia, Türkiye, Portugal, Great Britain, South Africa, Brazil, Canada, Argentina, Kazakhstan, China, Singapore, Croatia, and New Zealand.
The Women’s Final Eight will be held in Sydney alongside the men’s finals. Six teams from Division 1 (including Australia) and the top two teams from Division 2 will advance to the decisive stage.
With expanded participation, a sharper competitive structure, and World Championship places on the line, the 2026 Water Polo World Cup is shaping up to be one of the most consequential editions yet—for both established powers and returning or emerging nations alike.
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