When the world’s elite gather at the OCBC Aquatic Centre in Singapore this July, they’ll be doing more than simply competing for medals. The Women’s Water Polo World Championship is an electrifying gateway to a rapidly improving, fast-paced, and thrilling spectacle—an ideal opportunity for newcomers and aficionados alike to witness firsthand the game’s astonishing evolution. Here, rivalries flourish, narratives unfold, and new legends emerge.
Women’s water polo has enjoyed remarkable growth over the past decade, becoming a captivating fixture on the international sporting stage. With improved media coverage, increased professionalism, and unprecedented levels of competition, the women’s game now offers a blend of tactical sophistication, relentless physicality, and dazzling individual talent. Singapore 2025 promises to be a showcase of all these qualities, a tournament where established powerhouses seek validation and emerging nations strive for recognition.
Australia: Paris Glory or One-Off Wonder?
Australia arrives in Singapore carrying both the pride and pressure of their silver medal from the 2024 Paris Olympics. Adam Krikorian, the esteemed USA coach, has publicly dismissed notions that Australia’s recent Olympic success was ‘lucky’. But the Stingers, historically inconsistent at World Championships—where they last medalled in Gwangju in 2019—must demonstrate their newfound consistency.
Under Becca Rippon, the pioneering first female coach to achieve an Olympic medal, Australia boasts a robust lineup. Bronte Halligan, arguably the world’s premier right-handed position two player, pairs effectively with formidable shooters Abby Andrews and Alice Williams, complemented by the powerful center-forward duo of Tilly Kearns and Dani Jackovich. Yet the challenge remains formidable: prove Paris was no anomaly by medalling here. A podium finish would emphatically affirm Australia’s resurgence.
Greece: Ready to Shed the Underachiever Tag?
Greek water polo has long been synonymous with talent yet frequently disappoints on the global stage. Despite consistently strong performances at the European Championships (silver in 2018 and 2022; bronze in 2024), their World Championship record has been startlingly erratic since their solitary gold medal triumph in 2011.
Having recently replaced long-standing coach Alexia Kammenou with the astute Haris Pavlidis, Greece immediately captured attention by winning the 2025 World Cup in China. Questions linger: was it opportunism amid transitional squads elsewhere, or genuine progress? With a youthful core primarily sourced from domestic powerhouses Olympiacos, Vouliagmeni, Alimos, and Ethnikos, Greece has undoubtedly broadened their base. The time is ripe for Greece to deliver consistently on the global stage and finally match their promise.
Spain’s New Chapter Under Jordi Valls
After an era of unrivaled success—including an emotional Olympic gold in Paris 2024—Spain faces a critical transition with Jordi Valls stepping up from assistant to head coach. Valls, instrumental in Spain’s meteoric rise since 2009, inherits a side laden with success but now minus several stalwarts such as Pili Peña, Judith Forca, and Maica García (the latter two absent due to pregnancy).
Yet Spain remains arguably the most complete team in Singapore, fortified by players accustomed to triumph. With Valls’ tactical acumen and his profound understanding of Spain’s successful blueprint—discipline, intelligence, and unity—expectations remain sky-high. This Championship provides Valls his first stern test as leader, presenting Spain an opportunity to consolidate their status as Europe’s preeminent women’s water polo nation.
USA: Young Guns and the Challenge of Legacy
The USA’s dominance—five of the last six world titles—faces its sternest challenge yet. Adam Krikorian, the mastermind behind past glories, leads a team in transition, missing household names like Maggie Steffens, Rachel Fattal, Maddie Musselman (Woepse) and Ashleigh Johnson.
Instead, this youthful side’s promise lies in emerging stars such as Jenna Flynn, Emily Ausmus, Isabel Williams, Anna Pearson, Julia Bonaguidi, and Rachel Gazzaniga. Veterans Amanda Longan and Ryann Neushul lend essential stability, but the squad’s relative inexperience at senior championships is undeniable.
Despite recent setbacks, including a fourth-place finish at the Paris Olympics, Krikorian’s proven mentorship provides confidence that this youthful USA squad can quickly embody the ethos of their predecessors, continuing America’s storied water polo legacy.
The Chasing Pack
Beyond the frontrunners, several nations eagerly await their chance to disrupt expectations. The Netherlands appear prime contenders, while Italy’s unpredictable form makes them a fascinating wildcard. Hungary, buoyed by World Cup successes and reinforcements in returning stars Rita Keszthelyi and Dorottya Szilágyi, remain perennially dangerous.
France, brimming with talent yet erratic in recent preparations, could find themselves duelling with New Zealand, China, Japan, Croatia, and Great Britain for mid-table bragging rights. Meanwhile, Argentina, South Africa, and host Singapore seem destined to compete bravely in the lower reaches.
Team GB: Passion, Pride, and Pure Determination
Finally, a personal note—with unapologetic British bias—on Team GB, a squad as inspiring as they are resilient. Drawn into a challenging group alongside Spain and France, GB’s amateur yet fiercely dedicated athletes have overcome daunting obstacles to even reach Singapore.
Despite negligible federation support, these women, many juggling day jobs alongside elite sport, carry British water polo’s hopes. Standout performers include Lily Turner—phenomenal in the Greek league for Glyfada—and the talented Catalunya trio of Toula Falvey, Captain Kathy Rogers, and Cassidy Ball. Led passionately by Greek coach Theo Nousios, GB’s journey exemplifies sporting spirit at its purest. Whatever their outcome, Team GB deserves admiration—and perhaps, just perhaps, a hint of indulgent patriotism from us all.
All images courtesy of World Aquatics
See Waterpolo 360’s Singapore 2025 World Championship Page
Read more about women’s water polo
Follow Waterpolo 360 on Facebook, Instagram and X