Water polo at the 2024 Summer Olympics – Men's qualification

Water polo at the
2024 Summer Olympics
Qualification
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Tournament
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The men's qualification for the Olympic water polo tournament occurred between July 2023 and February 2024, allocating twelve teams for the final tournament. As the host nation, France reserved a direct spot each for the men's team.[2][3]

The remainder of the total quota was attributed to the eligible NOCs through a tripartite qualification pathway. First, the 2023 World Aquatics Championships, scheduled for 17 to 29 July in Fukuoka, Japan, produced the winners and runners-up of the men's water polo tournament qualifying for Paris 2024. Five more quota places were awarded to the highest-ranked eligible NOC at each of the continental meets (Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania) approved by World Aquatics. If any of the continental qualifying tournaments did not occur within the qualifying period, the vacant spot was entitled to the highest-ranked eligible NOC from a respective continent at the succeeding edition of the Worlds.[3]

The last batch of quota places was assigned to the four highest-ranked eligible NOCs at the 2024 World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar to complete the twelve-team field for the Games.[2][3]

Qualification summary

Qualification Date Host Berths Qualified team
Host country — 1  France
2023 World Aquatics Championships 17–29 July 2023 Japan Fukuoka 2  Hungary
 Greece
2022 Asian Games 2–7 October 2023 China Hangzhou 1  Japan
2023 Pan American Games 30 October – 4 November 2023 Chile Santiago 1  United States
2024 European Championships 4–16 January 2024 Croatia Dubrovnik/Zagreb 1  Spain
2024 World Aquatics Championships 5–17 February 2024 Qatar Doha 4  Croatia
 Italy
 Serbia
 Montenegro
2024 World Aquatics Championships – Africa 1  South Africa
2024 World Aquatics Championships – Oceania 1  Australia
2024 World Aquatics Championships – Reallocation 1  Romania[a]
Total 12
  1. ^ South Africa withdrew from the tournament after the 2024 World Aquatics Championships. Romania, as the best non-qualified team, took their spot.[4]

2023 World Championships

Main article: Water polo at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships – Men's tournament

The winner and the runner-up of the men's water polo tournament at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan obtained a ticket for Paris 2024.[3]

Group A

Pos Team
 Pld W PSW PSL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Greece 3 3 0 0 0 46 25 +21 9 Quarterfinals
2  United States 3 2 0 0 1 48 28 +20 6 Playoffs
3  Australia 3 1 0 0 2 39 35 +4 3
4  Kazakhstan 3 0 0 0 3 13 58 −45 0
Source: Sportresult[dead link‍]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) Goal difference.

Group B

Pos Team
 Pld W PSW PSL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Italy 3 3 0 0 0 55 17 +38 9 Quarterfinals
2  France 3 2 0 0 1 38 32 +6 6 Playoffs
3  Canada 3 1 0 0 2 30 49 −19 3
4  China 3 0 0 0 3 23 48 −25 0
Source: Sportresult[dead link‍]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) Goal difference.

Group C

Pos Team
 Pld W PSW PSL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Hungary 3 3 0 0 0 49 31 +18 9 Quarterfinals
2  Croatia 3 2 0 0 1 51 29 +22 6 Playoffs
3  Japan (H) 3 1 0 0 2 40 42 −2 3
4  Argentina 3 0 0 0 3 27 65 −38 0
Source: Sportresult[dead link‍]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) Goal difference.
(H) Host

Group D

Pos Team
 Pld W PSW PSL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Spain 3 3 0 0 0 54 27 +27 9 Quarterfinals
2  Serbia 3 1 1 0 1 57 34 +23 5 Playoffs
3  Montenegro 3 1 0 1 1 55 34 +21 4
4  South Africa 3 0 0 0 3 21 92 −71 0
Source: Sportresult[dead link‍]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) Goal difference.

Bracket

 
PlayoffsQuarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
              
 
 
 
 
25 July
 
 
 Greece10
 
23 July
 
 Montenegro9
 
 Croatia12
 
27 July
 
 Montenegro13
 
 Greece13
 
 
 Serbia7
 
 
25 July
 
 
 Italy11 (3)
 
23 July
 
 Serbia (PSO)11 (4)
 
 Japan10
 
29 July
 
 Serbia16
 
 Greece10 (3)
 
 
 Hungary (PSO)10 (4)
 
 
25 July
 
 
 Hungary13
 
23 July
 
 United States12
 
 United States13
 
27 July
 
 Canada10
 
 Hungary12
 
 
 Spain11 Third place
 
 
25 July29 July
 
 
 Spain7 Serbia6
 
23 July
 
 France6  Spain9
 
 Australia8
 
 
 France11
 
5th place bracket
 
5th–8th place semifinalsFifth place game
 
      
 
27 July
 
 
 Montenegro6
 
29 July
 
 Italy10
 
 Italy16
 
27 July
 
 France9
 
 United States13 (3)
 
 
 France (PSO)13 (5)
 
Seventh place game
 
 
29 July
 
 
 Montenegro12 (3)
 
 
 United States (PSO)12 (5)
9th place bracket
 
9th–12th place semifinalsNinth place game
 
      
 
25 July
 
 
 Canada5
 
27 July
 
 Croatia13
 
 Croatia17
 
25 July
 
 Australia10
 
 Australia16
 
 
 Japan15
 
Eleventh place game
 
 
27 July
 
 
 Canada11
 
 
 Japan23
13th place bracket
 
13th–16th place semifinals13th place game
 
      
 
23 July
 
 
 Kazakhstan12
 
25 July
 
 China5
 
 Kazakhstan7
 
23 July
 
 Argentina11
 
 Argentina15
 
 
 South Africa6
 
15th place game
 
 
25 July
 
 
 China16
 
 
 South Africa8

Final standing

Rank[5] Team
1st place, gold medalist(s)  Hungary
2nd place, silver medalist(s)  Greece
3rd place, bronze medalist(s)  Spain
4  Serbia
5  Italy
6  France
7  United States
8  Montenegro
9  Croatia
10  Australia
11  Japan
12  Canada
13  Argentina
14  Kazakhstan
15  China
16  South Africa

Continental tournaments

The highest-ranked eligible NOC from each of the five continental qualification tournaments (Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania) secured a quota place for Paris 2024. If any of the continental qualifying tournaments did not occur within the qualifying period, the vacant spot was entitled to the highest-ranked eligible NOC from a respective continent at the succeeding edition of the Worlds.[3]

Asia

Main article: Water polo at the 2022 Asian Games – Men

Preliminary round

Group A
Pos Team
 Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  China 3 3 0 0 0 57 23 +34 9 Quarterfinals
2  Iran 3 2 0 0 1 48 26 +22 6
3  South Korea 3 1 0 0 2 35 37 −2 3
4  Thailand 3 0 0 0 3 22 76 −54 0
Source: OCA
Group B
Pos Team
 Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Japan 3 3 0 0 0 70 24 +46 9 Quarterfinals
2  Kazakhstan 3 2 0 0 1 60 23 +37 6
3  Singapore 3 1 0 0 2 20 58 −38 3
4  Hong Kong 3 0 0 0 3 18 63 −45 0
Source: OCA

Bracket

 
QuarterfinalsSemifinalsGold medal match
 
          
 
5 October
 
 
 Iran13
 
6 October
 
 Singapore6
 
 Iran11
 
5 October
 
 Japan18
 
 Thailand2
 
7 October
 
 Japan23
 
 Japan11
 
5 October
 
 China7
 
 South Korea8
 
6 October
 
 Kazakhstan15
 
 Kazakhstan10 (3)
 
5 October
 
 China (p)10 (4) Bronze medal match
 
 China23
 
7 October
 
 Hong Kong3
 
 Iran7 (2)
 
 
 Kazakhstan (p)7 (3)
 

Final standing

Rank Team Pld W PW PL L
1st place, gold medalist(s)  Japan 6 6 0 0 0
2nd place, silver medalist(s)  China 6 4 1 0 1
3rd place, bronze medalist(s)  Kazakhstan 6 3 1 1 1
4  Iran 6 3 0 1 2
5  Singapore 6 3 0 0 3
6  South Korea 6 2 0 0 4
7  Hong Kong 6 0 1 0 5
8  Thailand 6 0 0 1 5

Europe

Main article: 2024 Men's European Water Polo Championship

Group A

Pos Team
 Pld W PSW PSL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Spain 3 2 0 1 0 32 27 +5 7 Quarterfinals
2  Croatia (H) 3 1 1 1 0 32 27 +5 6
3  Montenegro 3 0 2 0 1 33 35 −2 4 Playoffs
4  France 3 0 0 1 2 23 31 −8 1
Source: LEN
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) Goal difference.
(H) Host

Group B

Pos Team
 Pld W PSW PSL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Hungary 3 2 0 0 1 33 26 +7 6[a] Quarterfinals
2  Italy 3 2 0 0 1 42 23 +19 6[a]
3  Greece 3 2 0 0 1 36 32 +4 6[a] Playoffs
4  Georgia 3 0 0 0 3 25 55 −30 0
Source: LEN
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) Goal difference.
Notes:
  1. ^ a b c Hungary 3 Pts, +3 GD; Italy 3 Pts, +2 GD; Greece 3 Pts, −5 GD

Group C

Pos Team
 Pld W PSW PSL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Serbia 3 3 0 0 0 57 11 +46 9 Playoffs
2  Germany 3 2 0 0 1 38 35 +3 6
3  Malta 3 1 0 0 2 30 50 −20 3 Classification round
4  Israel 3 0 0 0 3 20 49 −29 0
Source: LEN
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) Goal difference.

Group D

Pos Team
 Pld W PSW PSL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Romania 3 3 0 0 0 33 20 +13 9 Playoffs
2  Netherlands 3 2 0 0 1 48 25 +23 6
3  Slovakia 3 1 0 0 2 24 32 −8 3 Classification round
4  Slovenia 3 0 0 0 3 19 47 −28 0
Source: LEN
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) Goal difference.

Bracket

 
Play-offsQuarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
              
 
 
 
 
12 January
 
 
 Hungary (PSO)10 (5)
 
10 January
 
 Serbia10 (4)
 
 France10
 
14 January
 
 Serbia14
 
 Hungary8
 
 
 Croatia11
 
 
12 January
 
 
 Croatia13
 
11 January
 
 Greece8
 
 Greece15
 
16 January
 
 Netherlands10
 
 Croatia10
 
 
 Spain11
 
 
12 January
 
 
 Spain24
 
11 January
 
 Romania7
 
 Georgia11
 
14 January
 
 Romania18
 
 Spain7
 
 
 Italy4 Third place
 
 
12 January16 January
 
 
 Italy14 Hungary7
 
10 January
 
 Montenegro8  Italy12
 
 Montenegro10
 
 
 Germany5
 

Final standing

Rank[6] Team
1st place, gold medalist(s)  Spain
2nd place, silver medalist(s)  Croatia
3rd place, bronze medalist(s)  Italy
4  Hungary
5  Greece
6  Montenegro
7  Serbia
8  Romania
9  France
10  Georgia
11  Netherlands
12  Germany
13  Slovakia
14  Slovenia
15  Malta
16  Israel

Americas

Main article: Water polo at the 2023 Pan American Games – Men's tournament

Pool A

Pos Team
 Pld W PSW PSL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  United States 3 3 0 0 0 82 18 +64 9 Quarterfinals
2  Brazil 3 2 0 0 1 46 39 +7 6
3  Puerto Rico 3 1 0 0 2 29 58 −29 3
4  Mexico 3 0 0 0 3 24 66 −42 0
Source: Santiago 2023
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.

Pool B

Pos Team
 Pld W PSW PSL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Canada 3 3 0 0 0 71 18 +53 9 Quarterfinals
2  Argentina 3 2 0 0 1 43 21 +22 6
3  Cuba 3 1 0 0 2 24 58 −34 3
4  Chile (H) 3 0 0 0 3 16 57 −41 0
Source: Santiago 2023
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.
(H) Host

Bracket

 
QuarterfinalsSemifinalsGold medal match
 
          
 
2 November
 
 
 Brazil16
 
3 November
 
 Cuba6
 
 Brazil13
 
2 November
 
 Canada12
 
 Mexico5
 
4 November
 
 Canada20
 
 Brazil7
 
2 November
 
 United States17
 
 Puerto Rico9
 
3 November
 
 Argentina20
 
 Argentina7
 
2 November
 
 United States22 Bronze medal match
 
 United States28
 
4 November
 
 Chile2
 
 Canada10
 
 
 Argentina12
 
 
5–8th place semifinalsFifth place
 
      
 
3 November
 
 
 Cuba11
 
4 November
 
 Mexico16
 
 Mexico9
 
3 November
 
 Puerto Rico13
 
 Puerto Rico16
 
 
 Chile6
 
Seventh place
 
 
4 November
 
 
 Cuba (PSO)7 (5)
 
 
 Chile7 (4)

Final standing

Rank Team
1st place, gold medalist(s)  United States
2nd place, silver medalist(s)  Brazil
3rd place, bronze medalist(s)  Argentina
4  Canada
5  Puerto Rico
6  Mexico
7  Cuba
8  Chile

2024 World Championships

Main article: Water polo at the 2024 World Aquatics Championships – Men's tournament

The top four teams, the top African team and the top Oceanian team of the men's water polo tournament at the 2024 World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar obtained a ticket for Paris 2024.[3]

Group A

Pos Team
 Pld W PSW PSL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Spain 3 3 0 0 0 46 20 +26 9 Quarterfinals
2  Croatia 3 2 0 0 1 48 24 +24 6 Playoffs
3  Australia 3 1 0 0 2 46 35 +11 3
4  South Africa 3 0 0 0 3 18 79 −61 0 13–16th place semifinals
Source: World Aquatics
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) Goal difference.

Group B

Pos Team
 Pld W PSW PSL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Greece 3 3 0 0 0 60 22 +38 9 Quarterfinals
2  France 3 2 0 0 1 44 33 +11 6 Playoffs
3  China 3 1 0 0 2 25 48 −23 3
4  Brazil 3 0 0 0 3 23 49 −26 0 13–16th place semifinals
Source: World Aquatics
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) Goal difference.

Group C

Pos Team
 Pld W PSW PSL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Serbia 3 3 0 0 0 45 28 +17 9 Quarterfinals
2  Montenegro 3 1 1 0 1 30 36 −6 5 Playoffs
3  United States 3 1 0 1 1 41 30 +11 4
4  Japan 3 0 0 0 3 26 48 −22 0 13–16th place semifinals
Source: World Aquatics
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) Goal difference.

Group D

Pos Team
 Pld W PSW PSL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Hungary 3 2 1 0 0 52 18 +34 8 Quarterfinals
2  Italy 3 2 0 1 0 58 22 +36 7 Playoffs
3  Romania 3 1 0 0 2 43 34 +9 3
4  Kazakhstan 3 0 0 0 3 7 86 −79 0 13–16th place semifinals
Source: World Aquatics
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) Goal difference.

Bracket

 
PlayoffsQuarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
              
 
 
 
 
13 February
 
 
 Spain15
 
11 February
 
 Montenegro12
 
 Montenegro12
 
15 February
 
 Romania9
 
 Spain6
 
 
 Italy8
 
 
13 February
 
 
 Greece10
 
11 February
 
 Italy11
 
 United States12
 
17 February
 
 Italy13
 
 Italy11 (2)
 
 
 Croatia (PSO)11 (4)
 
 
13 February
 
 
 Serbia13
 
11 February
 
 Croatia15
 
 Croatia22
 
15 February
 
 China4
 
 Croatia11 (6)
 
 
 France11 (5) Third place
 
 
13 February17 February
 
 
 Hungary10 Spain14
 
11 February
 
 France11  France10
 
 Australia8
 
 
 France11
 
5th place bracket
 
5th–8th place semifinalsFifth place game
 
      
 
15 February
 
 
 Montenegro10 (3)
 
17 February
 
 Greece (PSO)10 (4)
 
 Greece15
 
15 February
 
 Serbia11
 
 Serbia11
 
 
 Hungary10
 
Seventh place game
 
 
17 February
 
 
 Montenegro14 (2)
 
 
 Hungary (PSO)14 (4)
9th place bracket
 
9th–12th place semifinalsNinth place game
 
      
 
13 February
 
 
 China7
 
15 February
 
 Romania9
 
 Romania9
 
13 February
 
 United States13
 
 Australia10
 
 
 United States16
 
Eleventh place game
 
 
15 February
 
 
 China7
 
 
 Australia17
13th place bracket
 
13th–16th place semifinals13th place game
 
      
 
11 February
 
 
 South Africa5
 
13 February
 
 Brazil18
 
 Brazil11
 
11 February
 
 Japan22
 
 Japan17
 
 
 Kazakhstan4
 
15th place game
 
 
13 February
 
 
 South Africa11
 
 
 Kazakhstan10

Final standing

Rank[7] Team
1st place, gold medalist(s)  Croatia
2nd place, silver medalist(s)  Italy
3rd place, bronze medalist(s)  Spain
4  France
5  Greece
6  Serbia
7  Hungary
8  Montenegro
9  United States
10  Romania
11  Australia
12  China
13  Japan
14  Brazil
15  South Africa
16  Kazakhstan

References

  1. ^ "Qualification System – Games of the XXXIII Olympiad – Water Polo" (PDF). AQUA. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Paris 2024 – Water Polo Info". World Aquatics. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Depasse, Guillaume (2 November 2022). "How to qualify for water polo at Paris 2024. The Olympics qualification system explained". International Olympic Committee. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  4. ^ "Vis la Paris – Uluitor cum au primit tricolorii vestea că vor juca la Jocurile Olimpice! Prioteasa: "N-am știut nimic"". eurosport.ro. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  5. ^ "World Aquatics Championships - Fukuoka 2023-Final Standings". worldaquatics.com. Archived from the original on 18 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  6. ^ "2024 Men's European Water Polo Championship-Final Standings". len.microplustimingservices.com. Archived from the original on 23 January 2024. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  7. ^ "World Aquatics Championships - Doha 2024-Final Standings". worldaquatics.com. Archived from the original on 4 February 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.