Head coach Adam Krikorian, who had led the team through the golden era, said three weeks ago that his team had just finished its first couple days of training and stated that there was a lot to catch up on and “unfortunately a limited amount of time together before the World Championships. But we will do our best to make the most of it,” he said.

“We will undoubtedly have many new faces with at most, seven people returning from the Olympic Games and only five of our 11 field players.

“We’re excited to compete in a format that has a new look, being in different cities for the group stage. And we are especially thrilled to be back in Budapest for the final few games, in a place that embraces the sport of water polo at the highest level.”

The competition

For the first time the competition will be spread over four Hungarian cities — Budapest, Debrecen, Sopron and Szeged. Being two hours of more from Budapest, the outlying cities pose logistical challenges, especially with the allocation of referees and delegates, let alone the competing teams.

The format starts with Monday’s group stages — Group A in Budapest, Group B in Debrecen, Group C in Sopron and Group D in Szeged.

The four teams in each group will play their three matches in their respective cities. The group winners earn a day off as the second and third-ranked teams in each group will play crossover matches in Budapest’s famous Alfred Hajos complex on Margaret Island. The fourth-ranked teams will clash in Szeged over two days for classifications 13-16.

The winners of the major crossovers will then enter the top-eight competition through to the finals at Alfred Hajos. The bottom eight teams will play out their 9-12 classification series in Szeged over two days.

Teams have been allocated two “reserve” players, which will allow for any Covid difficulties, in particular. This is particularly pertinent for Canada, Netherlands and a lesser extent, New Zealand, who have players on the cusp of isolation.

Let’s look at the groups

Group A — Budapest

Hungary, as the host nation, gets to showcase the best of Hungarian water polo on the biggest stage. Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist, Hungary lost out to Australia at Gwangju 2019 and is keen to add to titles in 1994 and 2005, plus a silver and a bronze. 

Fellow dual world champion Italy is the biggest threat to Hungary and it is out to show that missing Tokyo 2020 was a blip on the recent radar. Italy has to go back to its golden run in 1998 and 2001 with its most recent success bronze at Kazan 2015.

Canada has done so much in the past 12 months and should provide plenty of resistance. It has two silvers and two bronzes in the cabinet at this level, the best result recently being  a bronze-medal loss to Russia at Budapest 2017. Its last podium finish was silver at Rome 2009 in an incident-packed match.

Colombia is the newcomer to the international stage and will cherish the experience of playing such illustrious opponents.

Day 1 schedule: 19:30, Canada v Italy; 21:00, Hungary v Colombia.

Group B — Debrecen

Six-time champion United States of America heads the group and, even with some relative youngsters and new faces, will still be the team to beat. USA has a  stranglehold on the event, winning the last three editions and is the leading nation with nine medals.

Netherlands, who faded at Tokyo 2020 into sixth place, has the team to match USA and can rightfully expect to be in the medal hunt in the second week. It’s been a long time since winning gold at the second edition in Perth 1991, but here is an opportunity to add a second gold after appearing in five previous finals.

South Africa’s 14th place in Gwangju 2019 was its best at this level and if it can slip past Argentina, the possibility is there for a best result.

Argentina might be bewildered by the attention water polo receives in Hungary but, as a first-timer at the FINA Worlds, anything goes and FINA World League Intercontinental Cup wins over Colombia and Cuba in March will offer some confidence.

Day 1 schedule: 18:00, South Africa v United States of America; 19:30, Netherlands v Argentina.

Group C — Sopron

Australia is the form team of the group, having easily won the FINA World League Intercontinental Cup in March. The Aussie Stingers were underdone at Tokyo 2020 and fell out of the medal round to Russian Olympic Committee, who have not been invited to Hungary, and then defeated Netherlands for fifth. Australia won the inaugural World Championship crown and been on the podium five times, the last as the bronze medallist at Gwangju 2019.

Brazil was 15 goals in arrears of Australia and 10 down on Canada at the Intercontinental Cup, but won against Colombia, Argentina and Cuba. In 12 appearances, eighth in Perth 1991 and ninth in Rome 1994 were the best. Four tenths, including Kazan 2015, were the next beat.

Kazakhstan was 10th in Gwangju 2019, its best result since eighth in Fukuoka 2001. The team has its ups and downs on the international stage and will need to produce something to head off New Zealand for one of the runner-up spots.

New Zealand is stacked with players who ply their trade in the United States college system, so should be match fit and ready to improve on 12th at the previous three iterations.

Day 1 schedule: 18:00, New Zealand v Brazil; 19:30, Kazakhstan v Australia.

Group D — Szeged

Spain is the Olympic silver medallist and silver medallist from the recent European qualifying final of the FINA World League, losing to Netherlands 12-11. Its form will come to fruition in Budapest and thoughts of that lovely summer’s day in Barcelona nine years ago — where it beat Australia for gold — will be reinforced by head coach Miki Oca. Spain will need to wipe thoughts of losing both the previous finals to the USA.

Greece is still living off that wonderful day in Shanghai 2011 when it headed China for the gold medal — its sole visit to the podium at World Championships. Greece has been ravaged by Covid-19 illness this year and had to settle for fifth at the European World League finals, downing France 15-10. At full strength, Greece will be dangerous.

France, as the host for Paris 2024, is improving with every match. France is still 12 goals shy of Netherlands and needs to maintain the upward trend as part of the Paris journey.

Thailand gained its invite to Budapest 2022 thanks to an excellent showing in the FINA Challengers’ Cup in Barranquilla, Colombia last November. It lost the gold-medal final to Colombia 14-11 after being 10-10 early in the final quarter. A debut showing in Hungary, could be just the filip the team needs.

Day 1 schedule: 18:00, Greece v Thailand; 19:30, France v Spain.