World Aquatics has once again surprised the water polo world: the new rules that were originally set to be tested at the next World Cup are now official.
The federation’s official website now displays a new regulation in the ‘Rules’ section, stating that the changes took effect on Saturday, November 9. These rules are to be applied in all men’s and women’s competitions under World Aquatics’ jurisdiction, including the Olympics, senior and youth World Championships (U16, U18, U20), and the World Cup. As a result, the upcoming World Championships in Singapore, scheduled for July 2025, will use these new rules. To date, World Aquatics has not issued any press release or published any article on its official website announcing the changes.
So, what are these new rules? The most significant updates include reducing the men’s playing field to 25 meters and decreasing the possession time from 30 seconds to 25 seconds (only for men’s matches). For both men and women, the duration of temporary expulsions has been shortened from 20 seconds to 15 seconds, as well as the so-called “second possession” time. Additionally, the new rules introduce the “challenge” system: once per game, each coach may contest a referee’s call and request a VAR review. If successful, the coach retains the right to an additional challenge.
Below are the main new rules as stated in the World Aquatics rulebook (click here for the full text):
Key New Rules Introduced by World Aquatics
Rule 1.2: The distance between the goal lines (playing field length) is now 25 meters for both men’s and women’s matches.
Rule 2.1: At World Aquatics events, or any event qualifying for one, each team may have a maximum roster of 14 players, including up to 12 outfield players and 2 goalkeepers. Each team must have at least one goalkeeper on its starting list. Even if only one goalkeeper is available, the number of outfield players is capped at 12. The goalkeeper will wear a red cap, which grants the privileges of a goalkeeper. A team starts with 7 players, one of whom is a goalkeeper. After the match begins, a team may play without a goalkeeper, opting for 7 outfield players. If a team has no remaining eligible outfield players, the designated goalkeeper or substitute goalkeeper may play as an outfield player. Conversely, if no goalkeepers are available, an outfield player may play as goalkeeper, provided they wear a red cap.
Rule 4.1.1: Maximum possession time is now 25 seconds for men’s matches and 30 seconds for women’s.
Rule 8.12:
a) In a second possession, the clock resets to 15 seconds if the attacking team has the ball, and to 25 seconds if the defending team has possession.
b) If the defending team gains possession, the clock resets to 25 seconds.
c) After an expulsion foul against the defending team, the clock resets to 15 seconds unless more than 15 seconds remain.
d) After a penalty shot or corner shot, if no possession changes, the clock resets to 15 seconds. It also resets to 15 seconds if the ball goes out due to deliberate action by a defender or is blocked by the goalkeeper. All the above rules apply to women’s matches, except that any reference to 25 seconds should be replaced with 30 seconds.
Rule 20.10: Each coach is allowed one challenge per game (“coach’s challenge”) on specific situations, such as:
- Corner or goal shots
- Goals or no-goal decisions
- Interference on a penalty shot
- A goal scored at the end of possession time or period
- Illegal entry or reentry into the field
- Shots taken at the period’s end with an unfair exclusion
- Errors by the jury table or electronic errors not reviewed by VAR If a coach’s challenge is successful, they may submit a second challenge in the same match, under the same conditions.
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