🛒 Shop the best Water Polo Gear now! →
🤑 10% off on selected briefs & merch 🤑
Support the Total Waterpolo mission!
TW-Brandmark-Whitex2
  • News
  • SINGAPORE 2025
    • Men’s tournament
    • Women’s tournament
  • Results

    National

    • Montenegro
      • Montenegrin League 2024/25
      • Montenegrin Cup 24/25
      • Montenegrin League 23/24
    • Nordic League
      • Nordic League Men 24/25
      • Nordic Trophy Men 2024/25
      • Nordic League Women 2024/25
      • Nordic League 23/24
      • Qualifications
    • Slovenia
      • Slovenian League 24/25
      • Slovenian League 23/24
    • Hong Kong
      • Hong Kong 24/25 – Women
      • Hong Kong 24/25 – Men
    • Austria
      • Austrian League 2025 – Men
      • Austrian League 23/24 – Women
      • Austrian League 23/24 – Men
    • Lithuania
      • Lithuanian League ’24
    • Latvia
      • Latvian Championship 2024
    • France
      • French League 23/24 – Men
    • Spain
      • Spanish League 23/24 – Men
    • Hungary
      • Hungarian League 23/24 – Men
    • Italy
      • Italian League 23/24 – Men

    International

    • SINGAPORE 2025
      • Women
      • Men
    • LEN Champions League
      • Men 24/25
      • Men 23/24
    • World Cup 2025
      • Men
    • AWL
      • Alpe Waterpolo League 2024/25
      • Alpe Waterpolo League 2023/24
      • Alpe Waterpolo League 2022/23
    • Nordic League
      • Nordic League Men 2024/25
      • Nordic Trophy Men 2024/25
      • Nordic League Women 2024/25
      • Nordic League 2023/24
      • Nordic Trophy 2023/24
    • NCAA
      • Men’s Finals 2024
      • Men’s Finals 2023
    • Oympic Games
      • Tokyo 2020
        • Women
        • Men
      • Paris 2024
        • Olympic Tournament – Men
        • Olympic Tournament – Women
    • World Championships
      • Doha 2024
        • Women
        • Men
      • Fukuoka 2023
        • Women
        • Men
      • Budapest 2022
        • Women
        • Men
    • European Championships
      • Eindhoven 2024 – Women
      • Zagreb / Dubrovnik 2024 – Men
      • Split 2022
        • Women
        • Men
      • Budapest 2020

    Amateur & Junior Divisions

    • Summer Cup 2025
    • Nordic League U16 2024/25
    • HaBaWaBa Spain 2025 – U10
    • HaBaWaBa Spain 2025 – U12
    • Masters Cup 2025

    Total Waterpolo Arena livescoring app: Stay in the game with real-time updates and stats for your next tournament.

    Contact Us
    • Champions League
      • Season 24/25
      • Season 23/24
      • Season 22/23
    • International
      • World Cup 2025 Men
      • European Championships
        • Eindhoven 2024 – Women
        • Croatia 2024 – Men
        • Split 2022
          • Women
          • Men
        • Budapest 2020
        • Barcelona 2018
      • World Championships
        • Doha 2024
          • Women
          • Men
        • Fukuoka 2023
          • Women
          • Men
        • Budapest 2022
          • Women
          • Men
      • Olympics
        • Tokyo 2020
          • Women
          • Men
        • Paris 2024
          • Women
          • Men
      • NCAA
        • NCAA Men’s Finals 2024
        • NCAA Men’s Finals 2023
      • Pacific Cup 2024
    • National
      • Montenegro
        • Montenegrin League 2024/25
        • Montenegrin Cup 2024/25
      • Austria
        • Austrian League 2025 – Men
        • Austrian League 2024 – Women
        • Austrian League 2024 – Men
      • Nordic League
        • Nordic League Men 2024/25
        • Nordic League Women 2024/25
        • Nordic League U16 2024/25
        • Nordic Trophy Men 2024/25
        • Nordic League 2023/24
        • Nordic Trophy 2023/24
      • Hong Kong
        • Hong Kong Women’s League 24/25
        • Hong Kong Men’s League 24/25
      • AWL
        • Alpe Waterpolo League 2024/25
        • Alpe Waterpolo League 2023/24
        • Alpe Waterpolo League 2022/23
      • Slovenia
      • Lithuania
      • Latvia
      • Hungarian League 2023 – Men
      • French League 2023 – Men
      • Spanish League 2023 – Men
      • Italian League 2023 – Men
    • Masters
      • Masters Cup 2025
      • VAL League 2024/25
      • Sabac Masters 2024
      • Masters Cup 2024
      • Budva Masters 2024
    • Junior
      • DSV 98 Cup 2025
      • Summer Cup 2025
      • HaBaWaBa Spain 2025 – U12
      • HaBaWaBa Spain 2025 – U10
      • HaBaWaBa Spain Plus 2025
      • Next Generation 2024 – Men
      • Next Generation 2024 -Women
      • HaBaWaBa Easter 2024 (U10)
      • HaBaWaBa Easter 2024 (U12)
      • HabaWaba Spain Plus 2024
      • Plejade
      • Dobri Dupin
  • Transfers
  • Shop

    WearWaterpolo™ Webshop

    • Webshop
    • Men’s Briefs
    • Women’s Suits
    • Apparel
    • Game Balls
    • About

    Partner up with Total Waterpolo, the leading international water polo network worldwide and take your team gear to the next level. Our products are made to endure the harshest conditions from pro leagues around the world to your local squad rivalries. We can't wait to join your team!

    Get Total Waterpolo for your Team
  • Total Player
    • Total Player 2024
    • Total Player 2023
    • Total Player 2022
    • Total Player 2021
    • Total Player 2020
    • Total Player 2019
    • Total Player 2018
    • Total Player 2017
SINGAPORE 2025
Support Us

World Cup Men’s Final: Chase for two Doha tickets and rehearsal for Fukuoka in LA

June 29, 2023

Greece's Ioannis Fountoulis (L) and Spain's Bernat Sanahuja Photo:K.Vulovic/VPSCG

The state of California has become the center of water polo, with the World Men’s Cup Final set to commence in Los Angeles tomorrow, just five days after the conclusion of the World Cup Final for women in Long Beach.

The USA will host seven European teams: Spain, Italy, Greece, Hungary, Serbia, Romania, and Germany.

Day 1 (June 30), quarterfinals: Germany – Spain (13:00 local time – 22:00 CET), Italy – Romania (15:00 – 00:00), Hungary – Greece  (17:00 – 02:00), Serbia – USA (19:00 – 04:00)

2023 World Cup Final (Los Angeles, June 30 – July 2), preview

Two teams can be considered defending champions.

The competition is called the World Aquatics Water Polo World Cup. Therefore is linked to the former FINA Water Polo World Cup that was held from 1979 until 2018 (initially, it was played in odd years. In the 21st century, it was staged every four years). The last FINA World Cup was won by Hungary in Berlin in 2018. Australia, which didn’t qualify for Los Angeles finished 2nd, bronze went to Serbia.

But let’s take a look from another angle. The newly shaped World Cup replaces the World League, which was defuncted after the 2022 edition when Italy took gold.

The World Aquatics Water Polo World Cup is set to become an annual event, similar to the World League, although it probably not be possible to hold it next year due to a packed schedule.

The tournament format has been revamped, with teams qualifying through two divisions. However, the competition structure is more similar to the World League than the previous FINA World Cup. The qualifications for the former FINA Cup were the World Championships and continental championships.

But it does not matter who will defend the title or whether there is a current champion.

What matters most is the opportunity for the top two qualifying teams to advance to the 2024 World Championships in Doha. Additionally, most participating teams will use the upcoming LA tournament to improve their shape for the World Championships in Fukuoka, which will commence two weeks later. With the exception of Germany and Romania, all teams will be present in Fukuoka.

I The USA will be the host of the World Cup for the fourth time- 1981 (Long Beach), 1983 (Malibu), 1995 (Atlanta) and 2023 (Los Angeles). The Amercans didn’t win a medal in the previous three tournaments held in their country.

There are several favorites. Only Croatia and Montenegro are absent from the “Big European Seven.”

Easier tasks for the finalists of the 2022 Worlds

Spain and Italy, the reigning world champion and the silver medalist at the previous Worlds in Budapest, respectively, will have easier tasks in the quarterfinals. They deserved it by winning top spots in their groups in Division 1.
Their rivals, Romania and Germany, cruised to the World Cup Final through Division 2. But, neither Romania nor Germany had too demanding matches on their way to Los Angeles.

Francesco Di Fulvio (ITA) and Marc Larumbe (ESP) in the bronze-medal match at the 2022 Europeans. Spain won 7:6 Photo: Total Waterpolo

The Romanians and the Germans, who played in the qualifications for the European Championships last week, will finish their seasons after the World Cup. Both teams will give it their all in hopes of making a strong impression at the end of the season. However, anything but (convincing) victories from the 2022 World Championships finalists would surely come as a surprise.

I The home team won the World Men’s Cup just once. It happened in Duisburg in 1985, when West Germany won gold.

Derby of the quarterfinals

The highlight of the quarterfinals is, undoubtedly, the clash between Hungary and Greece, the Olympic medalists. Since Greece defeated Hungary in the semifinals of the Tokyo Games (9:6), the two teams have met just once. It happened in the qualifications for the 2022 World League. Hungary recorded a 14:13 victory. But, it was a match in the 5th-8th place classification. Tomorrow’s duel is the first that has importance since Tokyo.

4 Hungary is the record-holder of the FINA World Cup with four gold medals (1979, 1995, 1999, 2018). Serbia won two golds as an independent country and three as a part of Yugoslavia

Both teams qualified for the Final Eight after thrilling endings in their groups. Hungary finished 3rd in Zagreb, and Greece 2nd in Podgorica.

Zsolt Varga with the players Photo: Total Waterpolo

Since the Tokyo Olympics, both teams have changed slightly. But, the most significant change is a new head coach on Hungary’s bench. After a successful debut at the European Championships, where Hungary won silver, Zsolt Varga will try to add another trophy to the rich Hungarian treasury. For the first time since his appointment as Hungary’s head coach, Zsolt Varga can count on Denes Varga, who returns to the team.

Konstantinos Genidounias (GRE) Photo by Krsto Vulovic/WPF of Montenegro

Greece, which won bronze at the 2022 World Championships, can also go high with many aces playing in the best European clubs. Head coach Theodoros Vlachos has brought the team to the circle of heavy favorites in all competitions.
Anyway, a lot of excitement is guaranteed.

USA vs. Serbia, once again

Last but not least duel in the quarterfinals is the clash between the hosts USA and Serbia. The teams are familiar with each other, having played numerous times in both friendly and official matches over the past two years. Team USA has been coached by Serbia’s former head coach Dejan Udovicic for over a decade.

I World Cup is the only World Aquatics’ (FINA)  water polo competition in which the male team of the USA triumphed. The Americans won gold medals in Barcelona in 1991 and in Athens in 1997

Serbia’s new head coach Uros Stevanovic debuted on the bench in December in a friendly match against the USA in the New Year tournament in Texas. Serbia lost that game, but it took revenge a few days after. The Serbs will play without one of the superstars, Dusan Mandic. However, he wasn’t on the team in the Texas tour either. So, both teams will have similar rosters to the Texas tour.

Chase Dodd (USA) and Marko Radulovic (SRB) Photo by Slobodan Sandic/VSS

Serbia started a long summer with the qualifications for the Europeans. They recorded three convincing wins, but, as Stevanovic said,the performances weren’t as they should be. Team USA’s advantage may be an experience. The Americans have been together for a long. They played very well in Division 1. On the other side, Serbia’s new team is still forming. It has had ups and downs in both competitions this season (WC Division 1 and European qualifiers).

Team USA has to prove itself in the home ground. Serbia wants to test its capabilities and start returning to the semifinals (where it hasn’t been since the Olympic Games).

Schedule

Friday, June 30

QF1: Germany – Spain (13:00 local time – 22:00 CET)
QF2: Italy – Romania (17:00 – 02:00)
QF3:Hungary – Greece (15:00 – 00:00)
QF4: Serbia – USA (19:00 – 04:00)

Saturday July 1

Semifinals 5th – 8th: Losers QF1 – QF4 (13:00 – 22:00)
Semifinals 5th – 8th: Losers QF2 – QF3 (15:00 – 00:00)
Semifinals: Winners QF1 – QF 4 (17:00 – 02:00)
Semifinals: Winners QF2 – QF 3 (19: 00 – 04:00)

Sunday, July 2

7th-place match (13:00 – 22:00)
5th-place match (15:00 – 00:00)
Bronze-medal match(17:00 – 02:00)
Final (19:00 – 04:00)

History

FINA WORLD CUP, ALL WINNERS

1979 (Belgrade and Rijeka, Yugoslavia): Hungary, 1981 (Long Beach, USA): USSR, 1983 (Malibu, USA): USSR, 1985 (Duisburg, FR Germany): West Germany, 1987 (Thessaloniki, Greece): Yugoslavia, 1989 (West Berlin, FR Germany): Yugoslavia, 1991 (Barcelona, Spain): USA, 1993 (Athens, Greece): Italy, 1995 (Atlanta, USA): Hungary, 1997 (Athens, Greece): USA, 1999 (Sydney, Australia): Hungary, 2002 (Belgrade. Yugoslavia): Russia, 2006 (Budapest, Hungary): Serbia and Montenegro, 2010 (Oradea, Romania): Serbia, 2014 (Almaty, Kazakhstan): Serbia, 2018 (Berlin, Germany): Hungary

WORLD LEAGUE, ALL WINNERS

2002: Russia, 2003: Hungary, 2004: Hungary, 2005: Serbia and Montenegro, 2006: Serbia and Montenegro, 2007: Serbia, 2008: Serbia, 2009: Montenegro, 2010: Serbia, 2011: Serbia, 2012: Croatia, 2013: Serbia, 2014: Serbia, 2015: Serbia, 2016; Serbia, 2017: Serbia, 2018: Montenegro, 2019: Serbia, 2020/21: Montenegro, 2022: Italy.

More articles about the World Cup and the former World League

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For more video content, subscribe to our Youtube Channel and Tik Tok account

Ivan Curcic
Ivan Curcic

Related posts

Photo: Nikola Krstic/European Aquatics

July 13, 2025

Italy shines in final of European U16 Championships and wins gold with perfect record


Read more

Photo: Nikola Krstic/European Aquatics

July 12, 2025

Italian and Hungarian cadets to battle for European crown


Read more

Photo: Nikola Krstic/European Aquatics

July 11, 2025

Italy, Hungary, Croatia, and Montenegro reach semifinals in Istanbul


Read more

SUPPORT US ON PATREON

If you share our passion for water polo worldwide, consider becoming a cherished contributor to our cause, with as little as 5$/month.

SUPPORT US


Custom Team Gear

LEARN MORE

Shop Now

Looking for something?

✕
  • Italy shines in final of European U16 Championships and wins gold with perfect record
    July 13, 2025
  • Team USA wins clash of champions and advances to quarterfinals, along with Hungary
    July 13, 2025
  • Italian and Hungarian cadets to battle for European crown
    July 12, 2025
  • Home
  • Water Polo News
  • WearWaterpolo Shop
  • Contact Us
  • Project Superstar – TW Camp
  • BIWPA
  • Custom Team Equipment
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
© 2021 Total Waterpolo. All Rights Reserved.
✕
CroMasters '24
Support Us
  • News
  • SINGAPORE 2025
    • Men’s tournament
    • Women’s tournament
  • Results
    • Champions League
      • Season 24/25
      • Season 23/24
      • Season 22/23
    • International
      • World Cup 2025 Men
      • European Championships
        • Eindhoven 2024 – Women
        • Croatia 2024 – Men
        • Split 2022
          • Women
          • Men
        • Budapest 2020
        • Barcelona 2018
      • World Championships
        • Doha 2024
          • Women
          • Men
        • Fukuoka 2023
          • Women
          • Men
        • Budapest 2022
          • Women
          • Men
      • Olympics
        • Tokyo 2020
          • Women
          • Men
        • Paris 2024
          • Women
          • Men
      • NCAA
        • NCAA Men’s Finals 2024
        • NCAA Men’s Finals 2023
      • Pacific Cup 2024
    • National
      • Montenegro
        • Montenegrin League 2024/25
        • Montenegrin Cup 2024/25
      • Austria
        • Austrian League 2025 – Men
        • Austrian League 2024 – Women
        • Austrian League 2024 – Men
      • Nordic League
        • Nordic League Men 2024/25
        • Nordic League Women 2024/25
        • Nordic League U16 2024/25
        • Nordic Trophy Men 2024/25
        • Nordic League 2023/24
        • Nordic Trophy 2023/24
      • Hong Kong
        • Hong Kong Women’s League 24/25
        • Hong Kong Men’s League 24/25
      • AWL
        • Alpe Waterpolo League 2024/25
        • Alpe Waterpolo League 2023/24
        • Alpe Waterpolo League 2022/23
      • Slovenia
      • Lithuania
      • Latvia
      • Hungarian League 2023 – Men
      • French League 2023 – Men
      • Spanish League 2023 – Men
      • Italian League 2023 – Men
    • Masters
      • Masters Cup 2025
      • VAL League 2024/25
      • Sabac Masters 2024
      • Masters Cup 2024
      • Budva Masters 2024
    • Junior
      • DSV 98 Cup 2025
      • Summer Cup 2025
      • HaBaWaBa Spain 2025 – U12
      • HaBaWaBa Spain 2025 – U10
      • HaBaWaBa Spain Plus 2025
      • Next Generation 2024 – Men
      • Next Generation 2024 -Women
      • HaBaWaBa Easter 2024 (U10)
      • HaBaWaBa Easter 2024 (U12)
      • HabaWaba Spain Plus 2024
      • Plejade
      • Dobri Dupin
  • Transfers
  • Shop
  • Total Player
    • Total Player 2024
    • Total Player 2023
    • Total Player 2022
    • Total Player 2021
    • Total Player 2020
    • Total Player 2019
    • Total Player 2018
    • Total Player 2017

We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalized content. By clicking "Accept All Cookies" or continuing to browse this website, you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT