Water polo will enter completely new territory this week as Dubrovnik hosts the inaugural World Aquatics Water Polo 4×4 Open Championships from 31 August to 6 September.
The first global competition for the new WP4 discipline will be played not inside a conventional swimming venue, but in Dubrovnik’s spectacular Old City Harbour, directly beneath the city walls. It is a particularly fitting location: open-water water polo has been played in Dubrovnik for more than a century, with the city’s famous Wild League remaining an important part of its sporting culture.
Initially, 26 teams were announced across the men’s and women’s competitions. However, Waterpolo 360 understands that South Africa and Egypt have now withdrawn from the men’s tournament, leaving 16 men’s teams alongside eight women’s teams.
The men’s field is now expected to include Croatia, Australia, Bulgaria, Georgia, Spain, two Hong Kong teams, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Lithuania, Mongolia, Malta, Montenegro, Neutral Athletes B, Serbia and the United States. The women’s competition features Croatia, Australia, South Africa, Spain, Turkey, Greece, the United States and Neutral Athletes B.
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Big names arrive in Dubrovnik
Despite being a new discipline, there will be significant senior international experience in the water.
The United States women have named an especially strong squad featuring Olympic champions Rachel Fattal, Ryann Neushul and Jordan Raney, alongside Jenna Flynn, Jewel Roemer, Lauren Steele, Nina Flynn and Haley Wan.
The American men include Max Irving and Marko Vavic, with Irving heading into the event as one of its most recognisable players.
Spain’s women include Paula Camus, Ariadna Ruiz, Alba Munoz and Isabel Piralkova, while their men’s roster features Max Casabella, Roberto Valera, Oscar Asensio and several emerging Spanish talents.
Hosts Croatia have opted for a younger-looking group, with Filip Krzic and Toni Busic among the men selected by Paulo Obradovic. Australia have also confirmed eight-player squads in both competitions, while Greece’s women arrive with a group including Eftychia Konstantopoulou and Anastasia Bikou.
So, how does WP4 actually work?
WP4 is considerably more than simply traditional water polo with three fewer players.
Teams can name up to eight players, with three field players and one goalkeeper in the water. The playing area measures just 15-16 metres by 10 metres, while possession lasts only 20 seconds.
Matches are divided into four five-minute periods, but each period is effectively its own set. Winning a set earns one point and the first team to three sets wins the match.
A tied set continues to a golden goal, while a match level at 2-2 after four sets is decided by a penalty shootout.
The result should be a much quicker, more open version of the sport, with more space, more one-on-one situations and far less time for attacks to develop.
From Monday, Dubrovnik will provide the first proper indication of whether WP4 can establish itself as a meaningful new branch of international water polo.
All matches are expected to be available live through World Aquatics’ digital platforms.
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