It’s been 12 years since Spain last won the World Aquatics Championship crown as United States of America and Netherlands have won the past six titles between them with the USA scoring five, including four straight between 2015-22. Spain is the Olympic champion and will be one of the hottest contenders for the crown when competition begins in the OCBC Aquatic Centre on Friday, 11 July.
Spain is Olympic champion and World League champion and could possibly become world champion in Singapore this month, replicating a role United States of America had encompassed for more than a decade.
While USA slipped out of the medals at the Paris Olympics last year, the time is ripe for a host of other nations to put up their hands with 2025 World Aquatics World Cup champion Greece at the top of the list.
Legendary USA head coach Adam Krikorian is looking to the Los Angeles Olympics as he reshapes his roster, giving seven newcomers at this level a shot at the big time.
"Doha seems like ages ago. This summer we will be taking a team that looks very different than past years. Our new roster will be without many experienced players, totalling close to 70 years of experience. However, it's a great opportunity for growth with a younger generation that is eager for their opportunity," Krikorian said.
With that said, USA never turns up with a “soft” team and youthful enthusiasm could still propel the team toward the medal standings.
Spain will contain many of its superstars, including Anni Espar, making a comeback, captain Bea Ortiz and sharp-shooter Elena Ruiz, along with its formidable centre-forward trio.
Australia is bringing 10 of its silver medallists from Paris 2024, fresh from dual warm-up wins in Western Australia and head coach Bec Rippon said last weekend's victories gave the Aussie Stingers impetus for Singapore.
Greek head coach Haris Pavlidis said half his team is new but with the newcomers had skills and confidemce and would be ready for LA 2028, the long-term goal.
The Groups
Group A: Australia, Italy, New Zealand, Singapore.
Group B: Argentina, China, Netherlands, United States of America.
Group C: Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Japan.
Group D: France, Great Britain, South Africa, Spain.
One would suspect that Australia and Italy would fight for Group A; Netherlands and USA for Group B, Greece and Hungary for Group C and Spain and France for Group D.
Possible Winners
This is the hardest thing to determine considering the wild changes in team rosters so soon after an Olympic cycle and the rebuild to the next Olympics.
Greece laid claim to the title following its sensational victory over Hungary in April’s World Cup finals series in Chengdu, China. Netherlands beat Spain for the bronze medal, giving us a top four to enthuse over. Olympic silver medallist Australia was ousted from fourth spot by Spain. Japan outdid China in a boilover.
The fact that USA could not progress from the division-one series in January turned heads, but that was after attending with a new-look group of youngsters who were hoping for their first medals on the senior international stage.
USA suffered a one-goal, penalty-shootout loss to Australia last weekend and the following night Australia downed Italy by two goals.
Historically Speaking
In 17 editions, USA has won eight, thus dominating the cycle as the tournament has evolved from those early days in 1986 when Australia claimed the inaugural title.
Hungary, Italy and Netherlands are the only other nations to win it twice while Australia and Spain have one crown each.
USA has been in the final nine times and has the proudest record of eight golds, one silver and two bronze. Netherlands is next with seven medals from six gold-medal-final visits and one bronze. Two nations have six medals — Italy has two gold, one silver and three bronze and Italy two gold, one silver and three bronze. Australia has five medals with one gold, two silver and two bronze. Greece has the one medal — gold in 2011.
Of the non-title winners, Russia has five bronze; Canada has two silver and two bronze; and China has one silver.
This Decade
Singapore will be the fourth port of call of the championships since Budapest 2022, with this being the third event in Asia after Fukuoka 2023 and Doha 2024.
In that time, USA has two gold, Netherlands gold and bronze, Hungary two silvers, Spain one silver one bronze and Italy one bronze. Fourth-placed countries were Italy, Australia and Greece.
Leading Players To Watch
Australia: Abby Andrews, Bronte Halligan, Alice Williams.
Greece: Eleftheria Plevritou, Stefania Santa, Maria Myriokefalitaki.
Hungary: Vanda Valyi, Kamilla Farago, Rita Keszthelyi.
Italy: Roberta Bianconi, Sofia Giustini, Chiara Ranalli.
Netherlands: Sabrina van der Sloot, Lieke Rogge, Simone van de Kraats.
Spain: Elena Ruiz, Bea Ortiz, Anni Espar.
United States of America: Amanda Longan, Emily Ausmus, Jenna Flynn.
First-Day Programme
Match 1. 09:00. Group D, South Africa v Spain.
Match 2. 10:35. Group B, Argentina v Netherlands.
Match 3. 12:10. Group B, United States of America v China.
Match 4. 13:45. Group D, France v Great Britain.
Match 5. 16:00. Group C, Japan v Croatia.
Match 6. 17:35. Group A, Italy v New Zealand.
Match 7. 19:10. Group A, Singapore v Australia.
Match 8. 20:45. Group C, Greece v Hungary.