The draw for the 2025 World Championships in Singapore (July 11 – 24), held in Budapest today, set up a lot of exciting matches already in the group stage, particularly in the men’s tournament.
Men
Group D can be considered the “group of death” in the men’s tournament. Croatia, the reigning champion, which also won silver medals at the Olympics and the European Championships last year, is in this group. Besides the Croats, two powerhouses—Greece and Montenegro—will compete in Group D, leaving China as the only underdog.
In Group B, an exciting battle for the top spot is anticipated, too, as World Cup winner Spain faces Hungary, along with two rising nations, Australia and Japan.
Olympic champion Serbia will compete in Group A, where Italy will be its main rival. This group also includes Romania and South Africa.
For the first time in many years, there will be a group with no European teams. Team USA, the Olympic bronze medalist, is a strong favorite in Group C, where it will face host Singapore, neighboring Canada, and Brazil.
Group A: Italy, Serbia, Romania, South Africa.
Group B: Australia, Spain, Hungary, Japan.
Group C: Singapore, Canada, Brazil, United States of America
Group D: Greece, China, Montenegro, Croatia
Women
In the women’s preliminary round, an exciting matchup is set to take place in Group B, featuring the two most recent World champions: the USA, which won gold in 2024, and the Netherlands, wichsecured gold in 2023.
In Group C, Spain, the Olympic champion, is expected to have a easier path against Great Britain, South Africa, and France. The Spanish team is heavily favored to finish at the top of the group, which would guarantee their place in the quarterfinals.
Group A: Australia, Italy, Singapore, New Zealand
Group B: China, Argentina, USA, Netherlands
Group C: Croatia, Greece, Japan, Hungary,
Group D: Great Britain, South Africa, France, Spain
Two water polo legends, Laura Ester Ramos, Spanish goalkeeper, and former Serbia’s captain, Filip Filipovic, were in the main roles in today’s draw, as they drew the balls with the names of the teams from the pots. Ester ad good fortune for her former teammates as Spain won’t have dangerous opponents in the first stage.
Road to medals
- Crossover round: 2A – 3B (Match 1), 3A – 2B (Match 2), 2C – 3D (Match 3), 3C – 2D (Match 4)
- Quarterfinals: 1A – winner Match 3 (OF1), 1B – winner Match 4 (QF2), 1C – winner Match 1 (QF3), 1D – winner Match 2 (QF4).
- Semifinals: winners QF1 – QF2, winners QF3 – QF4.
- Final Day
Playing dates – Women: July 17, 19, 21, 23. Men: July 18, 20, 22, 24.
