A record 15 nations are battling for berths in the World Aquatics Women’s World Cup Finals in Sydney, Australia this coming July when the Division II series begins in Malta on 21 April.
Overview
The six-day event will comprise seven matches daily and conclude on 26 April.
The event features the return from the wilderness of Russia (the men played as National Athletes B in the recent event in Malta but a determination last week now has these athletes competing under their national flag) with three nations playing this level for the first time. Israel has withdrawn from the event.
Competition Format
Teams are ranked in the league phase using the Tournament Performance Index, which considers match results, goal difference and strength of opposition.
The top teams advance to the knockout stage, where final rankings are decided with the top two teams qualifying for the World Cup Finals in Sydney, Australia in July.
The winner of the Division II tournaments will also earn the right to compete in Division 1 at the World Aquatics Water Polo World Cup 2027.
This new format guarantees that all but one team plays daily, faces a balanced mix of opponents and competes under a transparent and objective ranking system.
Groupings
There are two “Pots” into which teams were drawn.
Pot 1: Argentina, Brazil, China, Canada, Great Britain, Croatia, Singapore, South Africa,.
Pot 2: Germany, Kazakhstan, Malta, Russia, Portugal, Turkiye, Slovakia.
The winner of the Division II tournament will also earn the right to compete in Division 1 at the World Aquatics Water Polo World Cup 2027.
History
Of the 15 nations, three have tasted medal success at World Cup level with Canada winning the crown in 1981 — the third edition. It twice has claimed bronze (2002 and 2006). Canada missed the last two editions and was sixth in 2018. China was a bronze medallist in 2010 and finished eighth last year with a shock loss to Japan. In 2014 it was fourth.
Russia won silver medals in 2018 (its last visit before a suspension from international play) and 1997 when it lost to Netherlands.
Of the other teams, South Africa was eighth in 2018; Singapore finished eighth behind South Africa in 2014; Kazakhstan was eighth in 2002 and 2006; Brazil was eighth in 1991; and West Germany was sixth in 1989.
There are returnees from the Division II event in Istanbul in December 2024 — Croatia, Great Britain, Portugal and Turkiye.
Newcomers to this level are Argentina, Malta and Slovakia, further progressing the reach of women’s water polo in the global sport. (Germany will be regarded as a new team).
First-Day Clashes
10:00, China v Turkiye
11:30, Great Britain v Portugal
13:00, South Africa v Kazakhstan
15:00, Argentina v Russia
16:30, Croatia v Slovakia
18:00, Canada v Germany
19:30, Brazil v Malta