In a shocking administrative misstep, Serbia’s women’s water polo team has missed the chance to compete in the upcoming World Cup due to late paperwork, leaving players and coaches blindsided by the unexpected exclusion.
The error is yet another insult to women’s water polo in Serbia, and their national team athletes.
According to several sources, the national team coach received assurance from the Serbian federation that Serbia would compete in the Women’s Water Polo World Cup. The coach dutifully began preparations, coordinating with players and scheduling training sessions. Players adjusted their schedules, notifying their respective clubs and preparing for national duty. Yet, as the official draw was announced, the Serbian team was noticeably absent. Confusion and disbelief turned to frustration when the coach revealed the truth: Serbia’s registration paperwork had been submitted on October 29—eight days after the October 21 deadline.
One player shared that she only realized Serbia’s absence when she saw the official draw for the tournament, noting the omission in a group chat with her teammates. When the coach confirmed the administrative error, the group chat was filled with shock and questions. “How? Why? Who did it?” she asked, reflecting a sense of betrayal and frustration. The federation’s lack of accountability left many feeling abandoned, and the impact of this oversight is severe; the team is now out of competitive play until at least 2026, missing vital opportunities to gain experience and showcase their talent on an international stage.
The Women’s Division 2 tournament for the World Cup will proceed without Serbia, hosted in Istanbul, Turkey, from December 14 to 17, 2024. Twelve teams are divided into four groups, with Kazakhstan, Great Britain, and Turkey in Group A; Germany, Czechia, and Singapore in Group B; South Africa, China, and Japan in Group C; and Portugal, Croatia, and France in Group D. The top two teams from Division 2 will qualify for the 2025 Water Polo World Cup Super Final, where they’ll compete alongside Division 1 qualifiers. This oversight not only impacts Serbia’s near-term aspirations but also delays their participation in major tournaments until the 2026 World Cup.
For Serbia, the unfortunate administrative failure denies their talented players the chance to gain competitive experience leading up to the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. As frustration grows among players and fans, the Serbian Water Polo Federation faces serious questions about accountability and operational integrity.
With Serbia out of the picture, other teams in Division 2 are gearing up for a chance to qualify, leaving Serbian athletes and supporters wondering what could have been.
Read more water polo news
Follow Waterpolo 360 on Facebook, Instagram and X