Australia's Stingers and USA's women's water polo teams will meet in a World Cup semifinal at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre, 26 years after their historic gold medal match at the same venue. The Aussie Sharks also advanced, stunning Spain.
Australia's men's water polo team, the Sharks, will host the World Aquatics World Cup Finals in Sydney, starting against Spain. Fueled by their Paris 2024 Olympic quarterfinal loss, the team aims to leverage home crowd support for success and long-term program building.
Australian Sharks captain Nathan Power will lead the men's water polo team at the World Aquatics Water Polo World Cup in Sydney while on parental leave from KPMG. He and teammate Blake Edwards have brought their babies on tour, fostering a positive team culture focused on family support, praised by coach Tim Hamill.
The Australian women's water polo team, the Stingers, prepares for the World Aquatics World Cup Finals in Sydney, showcasing a strong team culture built on respect, camaraderie, and a shared love for the sport, which propelled them to a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Australian water polo star Abby Andrews, fresh from winning the European Champions League MVP with Olympiacos, discusses her success and the upcoming World Aquatics Water Polo World Cup in Sydney, where the Stingers aim for gold and to inspire a new generation.
Russia's women's water polo team defeated Canada 24-6 in the Division II World Cup semifinal in Malta. The victory advances Russia to Sunday's final against the winner of China vs Croatia, and secures qualification for the World Cup Superfinal in Sydney (July 22-26). This marks Russia's first international competition since their 2022 suspension, and the first Russian national team to compete under their flag since sanctions after World Aquatics lifted restrictions on April 13.
Russia's women's water polo team defeated Brazil 22-5 in quarterfinals at the 2026 Women's Water Polo World Cup in Malta, advancing to face the winner of Canada vs Great Britain. Russia finished first in Division 2 with three wins (vs Argentina 33-11, Germany 26-4, South Africa), marking their first international team competition since 2022 under their national flag and anthem after World Aquatics lifted sanctions in April.
Russia's women's water polo team defeated South Africa 27-5 at the 2026 Women's Water Polo World Cup in Malta, finishing 3-0 in Group Stage with wins over Argentina (33-11), Germany (26-4), and South Africa. The team finished first in Division 2 with nine points, securing a quarterfinal berth. This marks Russia's first international team competition since 2022 competing under their national flag and anthem after World Aquatics lifted sanctions on April 13.
The Russian team is currently at the top of the tournament’s standings with six points
In its next group stage match, Russia will play against Germany on April 22
World Aquatics will allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete with their national flags and anthems for the first time since 2022, a move welcomed by Russia but condemned by Ukraine as "unacceptable and disgraceful."
