Water polo at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Qualification

Twelve men's teams and eight women's teams qualified for Water polo at the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Men

Main article: Water polo at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament
Water Polo Men Date Host Vacancies Qualified
Host nation – – 1 China China
2007 FINA World Championships Mar 17 – Apr 1, 2007 Australia Melbourne 3 Croatia Croatia
Hungary Hungary
 Spain
2007 World League Jul 3 – Aug 12, 2007 Germany Berlin^ 1 Serbia Serbia
European Qualification Tournament Sep 2–9, 2007 Slovakia Bratislava 1 Montenegro Montenegro
2007 Pan American Games Jul 13–29, 2007 Brazil Rio de Janeiro 1 United States United States
Oceania Qualification Tournament Nov 30 – Dec 2, 2007 New Zealand Auckland 1 Australia Australia
Olympic Qualification Tournament Mar 2–9, 2008 Romania Oradea 4 Germany Germany
Italy Italy
Greece Greece
Canada Canada
TOTAL 12

^Berlin is the host of the super-final only.

Women

Main article: Water polo at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament
Water Polo Women Date Host Vacancies Qualified
Host nation – – 1 China China
European Qualification Tournament Aug 19–26, 2007 Russia Kirishi 1 Netherlands Netherlands
2007 Pan American Games Jul 13–29, 2007 Brazil Rio de Janeiro 1 United States United States
Oceania Qualification Tournament Dec 17–19, 2007 Australia Brisbane 1 Australia Australia
Olympic Qualification Tournament Feb 17–24, 2008 Italy Imperia 4 Italy Italy
Russia Russia
Hungary Hungary
Greece Greece
TOTAL 8