With just over six weeks to go until the start of competition, all 32 qualified teams now know their paths through the group phase of the 22nd edition of the World Aquatics Championships.

Image Source: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

In the men’s tournament, reigning world champions Croatia will begin their title defence on 12 July against China in Group D action. Croatia arrives in Singapore as silver medallists from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and will be aiming for a fourth world title after previous triumphs in Doha (2024), Budapest (2017), and Melbourne (2007).

Image Source: Team United States celebrate winning gold in the Women's Water Polo Gold Medal Match over Team Hungary at the World Aquatics Championships - Doha 2024 (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

On the women’s side, the United States opens its campaign on 11 July against China in Group B. The Americans are looking to rebound from a fourth-place finish at Paris 2024 and a challenging World Cup season. In Singapore, they will be pursuing a record-extending ninth world title.

The women’s tournament will run from 11–23 July, followed by the men’s tournament from 12–24 July.

Men’s Water Polo Tournament – Key Opening Day Matches

Image Source: Greece defends against Nikola Jaksic of Serbia during the Men's Gold Medal Match at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Croatia vs. China (Group D) – 12 July, 12:10 pm (local time)
Croatia, champions of Doha 2024, begin their World title defence against China.

Serbia vs. South Africa (Group A) – 12 July, 9:00 am
Olympic champions Serbia open their campaign with a morning clash against South Africa.

Spain vs. Japan (Group B) – 12 July, 4:00 pm
Fresh off winning the 2025 Men’s Water Polo World Cup, Spain faces hosts Japan in their opener.

Singapore vs. Brazil (Group C) – 12 July, 1:45 pm
Hosts Singapore make their historic debut in the men’s water polo competition at the World Aquatics Championships.

The 16 teams competing in the Men’s Water Polo Tournament are: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, and the United States.

📅 View the full Men's Water Polo match schedule

Women’s Water Polo Tournament – Key Opening Day Matches

Image Source: Jenna Flynn of Team USA makes a pass in the Women's Water Polo Semifinal match against Team Spain at the World Aquatics Championships - Doha 2024 (Adam Nurkiewicz/Getty Images)

USA vs. China (Group B) – 11 July, 12:10 pm
The defending world champions begin their title defence against China.

Spain vs. South Africa (Group D) – 11 July, 9:00 am
Fresh from Olympic gold in Paris, Spain starts its campaign early on opening day.

Australia vs. Singapore (Group A) – 11 July, 7:10 pm
Olympic silver medallists Australia take on hosts Singapore in the latter’s first-ever World Championships appearance in women’s water polo.

Greece vs. Hungary (Group C) – 11 July, 3:30 pm
In a rematch of the 2025 World Cup Final, Greece and Hungary—two of the most in-form teams in women’s water polo—square off in a highly anticipated clash.

The 16 teams competing in the Women’s Water Polo Tournament are Argentina, Australia, China, Croatia, France, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, and the United States.

📅 View the full Women's Water Polo match schedule

Get Your Match Tickets Today

Image Source: Maica García Godoy of Spain celebrates a goal in the Women's Gold Medal match against Australia at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games (Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

🎟️ Tickets are now available for all water polo sessions and the five other aquatic sports at the World Aquatics Championships – Singapore 2025 - swimming, diving, artistic swimming, open water swimming, and high diving. Get your tickets here.