FINA Water Polo World Cup

For the women's tournament, see FINA Women's Water Polo World Cup.

The FINA Men's Water Polo World Cup is an international water polo tournament, organized by FINA and featuring eight men's national teams. It was established in 1979, initially taking place on odd years. Since 2002 it is held every four years, in the even-year between Olympics.

FINA Water Polo World Cup

Sport	Water polo
Founded	1979
Continent	all (International)
Most recent champion(s)	Spain (1st title)
Most titles	Hungary (4 titles)

From 2023 on, the tournament will be replacing the FINA Water Polo World League.

Medal table

Rank	Nation	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	Hungary	4	4	2	10
2	Serbia[a]	3	0	2	5
3	United States	2	2	1	5
	Yugoslavia	2	2	1	5
5	Soviet Union	2	1	0	3
6	Italy	1	4	1	6
7	West Germany	1	1	1	3
8	Spain	1	0	5	6
9	Russia	1	0	1	2
10	Australia	0	1	1	2
	Croatia	0	1	1	2
12	Greece	0	1	0	1
13	Cuba	0	0	1	1
Totals (13 entries)		17	17	17	51

Source:

• ^[a] FR Yugoslavia/Serbia and Montenegro medals included in Serbia row.

Participation details

Legend

•  1st  – Champions
•  2nd  – Runners-up
•  3rd  – Third place
•  4th  – Fourth place
•      – Disqualified
•     – Hosts
• = – More than one team tied for that rank
• Q – Qualified for forthcoming tournament
• ^† – Defunct team

Africa – CANA (1 team)
Men's team	1979	1981	1983	1985	1987	1989	1991	1993	1995	1997	1999	2002	2006	2010	2014	2018	2023	Years
South Africa															8th	8th		2
Americas – ASUA (2 teams)
Men's team	1979	1981	1983	1985	1987	1989	1991	1993	1995	1997	1999	2002	2006	2010	2014	2018	2023	Years
Cuba		3rd	8th		7th			8th										4
United States	2nd	4th	4th	2nd	4th	8th	1st	4th	4th	1st	6th	7th		4th	4th	6th	3rd	16
Asia – AASF (4 teams)
Men's team	1979	1981	1983	1985	1987	1989	1991	1993	1995	1997	1999	2002	2006	2010	2014	2018	2023	Years
China														7th				1
Iran														8th				1
Japan																7th		1
Kazakhstan	Part of Soviet Union														6th			1
Europe – LEN (15 teams)
Men's team	1979	1981	1983	1985	1987	1989	1991	1993	1995	1997	1999	2002	2006	2010	2014	2018	2023	Years
Bulgaria	8th	8th																2
Croatia	Part of Yugoslavia								8th	8th		8th	4th	2nd	3rd	5th		7
Germany West Germany†	5th		2nd	1st	3rd	5th	8th	6th								4th	8th	9
Greece				8th	8th			7th	6th	2nd	7th	5th	7th				5th	9
Hungary	1st	6th	7th			3rd	4th	2nd	1st	3rd	1st	2nd	2nd		2nd	1st	4th	14
Italy	6th		3rd	5th	5th	2nd		1st	2nd	5th	2nd	4th	5th				2nd	12
Montenegro	Part of Yugoslavia							Part of SCG / FRY							7th			1
Netherlands			6th	6th					7th									3
Men's team	1979	1981	1983	1985	1987	1989	1991	1993	1995	1997	1999	2002	2006	2010	2014	2018	2023	Years
Romania	7th						6th						6th	5th			6th	5
Russia	Part of Soviet Union							5th	3rd	4th	4th	1st	8th					6
Serbia	Part of Yugoslavia							Part of SCG / FRY						1st	1st	3rd	7th	4
Serbia and Montenegro† Yugoslavia†	Part of Yugoslavia									7th	5th	3rd	1st	Defunct				4
Soviet Union†	4th	1st	1st		2nd	6th	5th	Defunct										6
Spain		5th	5th	3rd	6th	4th	3rd		5th	6th	3rd	6th	3rd	3rd			1st	13
Yugoslavia†	3rd	2nd		4th	1st	1st	2nd	Defunct										6
Oceania – OSA (1 team)
Men's team	1979	1981	1983	1985	1987	1989	1991	1993	1995	1997	1999	2002	2006	2010	2014	2018	2023	Years
Australia		7th		7th		7th	7th	3rd			8th			6th	5th	2nd		9
Total teams	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8

See also

• FINA Women's Water Polo World Cup
• List of water polo world medalists
• Major achievements in water polo by nation