The official draw for the World Aquatics Water Polo World Cup 2026 has been completed, starting the journey towards the Finals in Sydney, Australia this July.
A total of 60 teams from 34 countries will compete in the men’s and women’s Division 1 and Division 2 tournaments.
Division 1 features the top national teams in the world, including Olympic and World Championship medallists.
The men’s Division 1 tournament will take place in Alexandroupoli, Greece from 6–12 April.
Group A: Serbia, Netherlands, Hungary, Greece
Group B: Italy, Spain, Croatia, United States
The women’s Division 1 tournament will be held in Rotterdam, Netherlands from 1–6 May.
Group A: United States, Hungary, Japan, Spain
Group B: Italy, Greece, Netherlands, Australia
The top two teams from each group will move into a new group stage. All teams will then be ranked, and the top five will qualify for the World Cup Final in Sydney, along with the top two from Division 2 and hosts Australia.
Division 2 will use a new league format. Each team will play three matches over three days against a mix of higher and similarly ranked opponents.
The men’s Division 2 tournament will be held in Malta from 7–13 April.
The women’s Division 2 tournament will also take place in Malta from 21–26 April.
Teams will be ranked using a performance index based on results, goal difference and strength of opposition. The top teams will move on to the knockout stage, with the best two qualifying for the Finals in Sydney.
The Division 2 winners will also earn promotion to Division 1 for 2027.
The Finals in Sydney will decide the 2026 champions. Spain’s men are aiming for a third straight title, while Greece’s women hope to build on their strong 2025 season.
With the draw now complete, teams can begin preparations for what promises to be an exciting competition.
