World Aquatics has chosen to elevate the World Cup to an annual event, enveloping aspects of the discontinued World Leagues, and implementing the new system in 2023 with action starting in March.
The move is seen as revitalising the game, giving the fans and the leading nations closer competition in terms of goal-scoring, and encouraging nations outside the top flights to play more continental and more competitive games, which will boost local competition and keep financial costs corralled. Nations developing in water polo can then fight for the right to elevate to the top level.
The shake-up of the calendar means that the Intercontinental Cup in its recent form changes and the Challengers’ Cup have been scrapped.
World Aquatics Technical Water Polo Committee chair Tamas Molnar said it was hoped that continents would have more internal interaction, playing at a similar level while also giving a pathway to each participating team to reach their own goals.
The Challengers’ Cup started as the Development Trophy in Kuwait City in 2007 and eight editions were played in Kuwait (3), Saudi Arabia, Iran, Malta, Singapore and Colombia. Women were introduced for the first time in Colombia this year.
The FINA Water Polo World League began in 2002 for men with Serbia claiming 10 titles. In 2004, the women's league began, with the United States of America wresting an incredible 14 crowns.
Here’s How the New Water Polo World Cup Works
Men's Water Polo World Cup
There are 12 teams seeded into two groups — A and B.
Group A: Italy, Japan, Croatia, Hungary, France, United States of America.
Group B: Serbia, Greece, Georgia, Australia, Spain, Montenegro.
The first tournaments will be played on March 8-15 where each team will play five matches — Group A will play in Zagreb, Croatia and Group B will contest matches in Kotor, Montenegro.
The World Cup Final series will be staged at a venue to be decided on June 30-July 2. The top three teams from each group will be joined by the top two Division 2 teams to determine who is the 2023 World Cup champion. The eight teams will contest quarterfinals, semifinals and finals over three days.
Predictions
Spain is riding a wave of delirium after winning the 19th FINA World Championships in Budapest, pipping Italy in a shootout. Serbia, the current Olympic champion, has been struggling since Tokyo with a number of retirements.
Greece, Croatia, United States of America, Hungary and Japan will help boost the competition while Australia, Montenegro and Georgia lend plenty of heavyweight action as they try to burst into the top eight.
Women's Water Polo World Cup
The women’s competition differs slightly as there are eight teams in two groups:
Group A: Greece, Netherlands, Hungary, Australia.
Group B: Spain, United States of America, Italy, China.
The two dates for the tournaments are April 13-15 and April 19-21. Both groups play a round-robin, which gives a ranking within the group.
In the second tournament — in Vouliagmeni — the two highest-ranking teams from group A and Group B will play a round robin bringing their results from the first tournament, while the third and fourth teams in the groups will also play a round-robin, giving a final ranking.
From this tournament, the top four teams and the fifth and sixth-ranked teams will qualify to the June 23-25 World Cup Final.
The top two teams from Division 2 will also contest the final. It is important to note that the last-ranked teams in both genders will fall out of Division 1 and will go down to Division 2 while the winner of Division 2 will play in Division 1 in the next edition.
Predictions
The USA is still the dominant nation, even though other countries are knocking on the door, especially Hungary. Spain is rising to the occasion, as it has been since winning the FINA World Championships in 2013. The Netherlands is a potent force and Australia is taking excellent rebuilding steps. Italy, Greece and China are also improving teams.