Wikipedia

National team appearances in the men's Olympic water polo tournament

This article presents the national team appearances in the men's Olympic water polo tournament since the inaugural official edition in 1900.

As of the 2020 Summer Olympics, 52 men's national water polo teams from six continents have competed at the Olympic Games. European teams have won all 27 official tournaments. The inaugural winners in 1900 were Great Britain; the current champions are Serbia. The most successful team is currently Hungary men's team, who has won the Olympic title on nine occasions.[1][2][3]

Abbreviations

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Apps Appearances Rk Rank Ref Reference
p. page pp. pages

Team statistics

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Comprehensive team results by tournament

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Note: Results of Olympic qualification tournaments are not included. Numbers refer to the final placing of each team at the respective Games; italic number in header means unofficial tournament was held. Last updated: 11 February 2024.

Legend

  •  1  – Champions
  •  2  – Runners-up
  •  3  – Third place
  •  4  – Fourth place
  •   – Qualified but were not allowed to compete
  •   – Disqualified
  •  —  – The nation did not participate in the Games
  •  Q  – Qualified for forthcoming tournament
  •     – Hosts
  • = – More than one team tied for that rank
  • Team† – Defunct team

Abbreviation

  • stats – Olympic water polo team statistics
  • EUA – United Team of Germany
  • FRG – West Germany
  • FRY – FR Yugoslavia
  • GDR – East Germany
  • SCG – Serbia and Montenegro
Africa – CANA (2 teams)
Men's team[1] 00 04 08 12 20 24 28 32 36 48 52 56 60 64 68 72 76 80 84 88 92 96 00 04 08 12 16 20 24 Years
 Egypt (stats) ————710—131215—126
 South Africa —149———————12WD3
Americas – UANA (8 teams)
Men's team[1] 00 04 08 12 20 24 28 32 36 48 52 56 60 64 68 72 76 80 84 88 92 96 00 04 08 12 16 20 24 Years
 Argentina ——13101611—4
 Brazil (stats) ————6—[a]91213131288
 Canada (stats) 169—10114
 Chile ————17—1
 Cuba ———8975——85
 Mexico ————181113104
 United States (stats) 4373911457953—22476728106323
 Uruguay —————1316—2
Asia – AASF (7 teams)
Men's team[1] 00 04 08 12 20 24 28 32 36 48 52 56 60 64 68 72 76 80 84 88 92 96 00 04 08 12 16 20 24 Years
 China —————————————————911123
 India ———12212
 Iran ————————12——1
 Japan (stats) ———414—14111215—1112101110
 Kazakhstan (stats) —————Part of Soviet Union[b]91111114
 Singapore —————————10——1
 South Korea ——————————121
Europe – LEN (34 teams)
Men's team[1] 00 04 08 12 20 24 28 32 36 48 52 56 60 64 68 72 76 80 84 88 92 96 00 04 08 12 16 20 24 Years
 Austria 4—7133
 Belgium (stats) 2—2322634616711
 Bulgaria ———————1112—2
 Croatia (stats) ————Part of Yugoslavia2710612528
 Czechoslovakia† ————1261011—12Defunct5
 East Germany† Part of GermanyP. of EUA6—Part of Germany1
 France (stats) 3[c]—691346101011111012
 Germany (stats) =5——122—15See EUASee FRG and GDR795109
 Great Britain (stats) 1111848131271211
 Greece (stats) 81315141410891061047962517
 Hungary (stats) 5—5211211313213—564111553424
 Iceland ———————151
 Ireland —————914—2
 Italy (stats) —10111341446287713589237722
 Luxembourg ———11—1
 Malta ——————8—16————2
 Montenegro (stats) ————Part of YugoslaviaP. of FRY / SCG444895
 Netherlands (stats) —457553588773669101117
 Portugal ———201
 Romania (stats) ——————1785584911101210
 Russia (stats) —————Part of Soviet Union[b]5233
 Serbia (stats) ———Part of YugoslaviaP. of FRY / SCG331115
 Serbia and Montenegro† (stats) ————Part of YugoslaviaSee FRY2Defunct1
 Slovakia ————Part of Czechoslovakia121
 Soviet Union†[d] (stats) ——————————73232181—3Defunct9
 Spain (stats) ———7109—88—91044621465674619
 Sweden (stats) —32346511118
  Switzerland 1112121214—5
 Ukraine ——————————Part of Soviet Union[b]121
International Olympic Committee Unified Team†[b] (stats) —————Part of Soviet Union3Defunct1
Germany United Team of Germany† (stats) See Germany666See FRG and GDRSee Germany3
 West Germany† (stats) Part of GermanyP. of EUA1046—34Part of Germany5
 Yugoslavia† (stats) ————1092242155211Defunct12
 Yugoslavia†[e] (stats) ————Part of Yugoslavia—83Defunct2
Oceania – OSA (1 team)
Men's team[1] 00 04 08 12 20 24 28 32 36 48 52 56 60 64 68 72 76 80 84 88 92 96 00 04 08 12 16 20 24 Years
 Australia (stats) ——181991510[f]12117585898799818
Men's team[1] 00 04 08 12 20 24 28 32 36 48 52 56 60 64 68 72 76 80 84 88 92 96 00 04 08 12 16 20 24 Years
Total teams 7461213145161821101613151612121212121212121212121212

Debut of teams

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Last updated: 12 February 2024.

Legend
  • Team* – Host team
  • Team† – Defunct team
#Year[1]Debuting teamsNumberCumulative total
AfricaAmericasAsiaEuropeOceania
11900––– Belgium,  France*,  Germany,  Great Britain–44
21904Water polo was an unofficial sport
31908––– Netherlands,  Sweden–26
41912––– Austria,  Hungary–28
51920– Brazil,  United States– Czechoslovakia†,  Greece,  Italy,  Spain,   Switzerland–715
61924––– Ireland–116
71928– Argentina– Luxembourg,  Malta–319
81932–– Japan––120
91936– Uruguay– Iceland,  Yugoslavia†–323
101948 Egypt Chile India– Australia427
111952 South Africa Mexico– Portugal,  Romania,  Soviet Union†–532
121956–– SingaporeGermany United Team of Germany†–234
131960–––––034
141964–––––034
#YearAfricaAmericasAsiaEuropeOceaniaNumberCumulative total
151968– Cuba– East Germany†,  West Germany†–337
161972– Canada– Bulgaria–239
171976–– Iran––140
181980–––––040
191984–– China––141
201988–– South Korea*––142
211992–––International Olympic Committee Unified Team†[b]–143
221996––– Croatia,  Russia,  Ukraine,  Yugoslavia†[e]–447
232000–– Kazakhstan Slovakia–249
242004––– Serbia and Montenegro†–150
252008––– Montenegro,  Serbia–252
262012–––––052
272016–––––052
282020–––––052
292024–––––052
Total2873415252

Number of appearances by team

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The following table is pre-sorted by number of appearances (in descending order), year of the last appearance (in ascending order), year of the first appearance (in ascending order), name of the team (in ascending order), respectively. Last updated: 8 August 2021.

Legend and abbreviation

  • Year* – As host team
  • Team† – Defunct team
  • Apps – Appearances
  • stats – Olympic water polo team statistics
Number of appearances by team
RkMen's team[1]AppsRecord
streak		Active
streak		DebutMost
recent		Best finishConfederation
1  Hungary (stats)2313919122020ChampionsEurope – LEN
2  United States (stats)22121019202020Runners-upAmericas – UANA
3  Italy (stats)21191919202020ChampionsEurope – LEN
4  Spain (stats)18111119202020ChampionsEurope – LEN
5  Netherlands (stats)177019082000Third placeEurope – LEN
 Australia (stats)176619482020Fifth placeOceania – OSA
7  Greece (stats)16111119202020Runners-upEurope – LEN
8  Yugoslavia† (stats)1212019361988ChampionsEurope – LEN
9  Belgium (stats)115019001964Runners-upEurope – LEN
 Great Britain (stats)115019002012*ChampionsEurope – LEN
 France (stats)11401900*2016ChampionsEurope – LEN
12  Soviet Union† (stats)98019521988ChampionsEurope – LEN
 Germany (stats)93019002008ChampionsEurope – LEN
 Romania (stats)94019522012Fourth placeEurope – LEN
 Japan (stats)94219322020*Fourth placeAsia – AASF
16  Sweden (stats)84019081980Runners-upEurope – LEN
 Brazil (stats)83019202016*Sixth placeAmericas – UANA
18  Croatia (stats)77719962020ChampionsEurope – LEN
19  Egypt (stats)63019482004Seventh placeAfrica – CANA
20   Switzerland53019201948Eleventh placeEurope – LEN
 West Germany† (stats)53019681988Third placeEurope – LEN
 Czechoslovakia†53019201992Sixth placeEurope – LEN
 Cuba54019681992Fifth placeAmericas – UANA
24  Argentina42019281960Tenth placeAmericas – UANA
 Mexico43019521976Tenth placeAmericas – UANA
 Canada (stats)42019722008Ninth placeAmericas – UANA
 Kazakhstan (stats)42120002020Ninth placeAsia – AASF
 Montenegro (stats)44420082020Fourth placeEurope – LEN
 Serbia (stats)44420082020ChampionsEurope – LEN
30  Austria31019121952Fourth placeEurope – LEN
Germany United Team of Germany† (stats)33019561964Sixth placeEurope – LEN
 Russia (stats)33019962004Runners-upEurope – LEN
 China32019842008*Ninth placeAsia – AASF
 South Africa31119522020Ninth placeAfrica – CANA
35  Ireland22019241928Ninth placeEurope – LEN
 Malta21019281936Eighth placeEurope – LEN
 Uruguay22019361948Thirteenth placeAmericas – UANA
 India22019481952Twelfth placeAsia – AASF
 Bulgaria21019721980Eleventh placeEurope – LEN
 Yugoslavia†[e] (stats)22019962000Third placeEurope – LEN
41  Luxembourg11019281928Eleventh placeEurope – LEN
 Iceland11019361936Fifteenth placeEurope – LEN
 Chile11019481948Seventeenth placeAmericas – UANA
 Portugal11019521952Twentieth placeEurope – LEN
 Singapore11019561956Tenth placeAsia – AASF
 East Germany†11019681968Sixth placeEurope – LEN
 Iran11019761976Twelfth placeAsia – AASF
 South Korea1101988*1988*Twelfth placeAsia – AASF
International Olympic Committee Unified Team†[b] (stats)11019921992Third placeEurope – LEN
 Ukraine11019961996Twelfth placeEurope – LEN
 Slovakia11020002000Twelfth placeEurope – LEN
 Serbia and Montenegro† (stats)11020042004Runners-upEurope – LEN
RkMen's teamAppsRecord
streak		Active
streak		DebutMost
recent		Best finishConfederation

Results of host teams

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Last updated: 11 August 2024.

Legend and abbreviation
  • Year* – As host team
  • Team† – Defunct team
  • Finish‡ – It is the best performance of the team
  • Apps – Appearances
#Year[1]Host teamFinishBest finishAppsConfederation
11900 France3rd of 7 teams[c]Champions (1924*)11Europe – LEN
21904Water polo was an unofficial sport
31908 Great Britain1st‡ of 4 teamsChampions (1900, 1908*, 1912, 1920)11Europe – LEN
41912 Sweden2nd‡ of 6 teamsRunners-up (1912*)8Europe – LEN
51920 Belgium2nd‡ of 12 teamsRunners-up (1900, 1908, 1920*, 1924)11Europe – LEN
61924 France1st‡ of 13 teamsChampions (1924*)11Europe – LEN
71928 Netherlands5th of 14 teamsThird place (1948, 1976)17Europe – LEN
81932 United States3rd of 5 teamsRunners-up (1984*, 1988, 2008)22Americas – UANA
91936 Germany2nd of 16 teamsChampions (1928)9Europe – LEN
101948 Great Britain13th of 18 teamsChampions (1900, 1908*, 1912, 1920)11Europe – LEN
111952 Finlanddid not participate—0Europe – LEN
121956 Australia9th of 10 teamsFifth place (1984, 1992)17Oceania – OSA
131960 Italy1st‡ of 16 teamsChampions (1948, 1960*, 1992)21Europe – LEN
141964 Japan11th of 13 teamsFourth place (1932)9Asia – AASF
#YearHost teamFinishBest finishAppsConfederation
151968 Mexico11th of 15 teamsTenth place (1976)4Americas – UANA
161972 West Germany†4th of 16 teamsThird place (1984)5Europe – LEN
171976 Canada9th‡ of 12 teamsNinth place (1976*)4Americas – UANA
181980 Soviet Union†1st‡ of 12 teamsChampions (1972, 1980*)9Europe – LEN
191984 United States2nd‡ of 12 teamsRunners-up (1984*, 1988, 2008)22Americas – UANA
201988 South Korea12th‡ of 12 teamsTwelfth place (1988*)1Asia – AASF
211992 Spain2nd of 12 teamsChampions (1996)18Europe – LEN
221996 United States7th of 12 teamsRunners-up (1984*, 1988, 2008)22Americas – UANA
232000 Australia8th of 12 teamsFifth place (1984, 1992)17Oceania – OSA
242004 Greece4th of 12 teamsRunners-up (2020)16Europe – LEN
252008 China12th of 12 teamsNinth place (1984)3Asia – AASF
262012 Great Britain12th of 12 teamsChampions (1900, 1908*, 1912, 1920)11Europe – LEN
272016 Brazil8th of 12 teamsSixth place (1920)8Americas – UANA
282020 Japan10th of 12 teamsFourth place (1932)9Asia – AASF
292024 France10th of 12 teamsChampions (1924*)12Europe – LEN
#YearHost teamFinishBest finishAppsConfederation

Results of defending champions and runners-up

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Last updated: 11 August 2024.

Legend
  • Team* – Host team
  • Team† – Defunct team
#Year[1]Defending championsFinishDefending runners-upFinish
11900
21904Water polo was an unofficial sport
31908
41912 Great Britain1st of 6 teams Belgium3rd of 6 teams
51920 Great Britain1st of 12 teams Sweden3rd of 12 teams
61924 Great Britain8th of 13 teams Belgium2nd of 13 teams
71928 France3rd of 14 teams Belgium6th of 14 teams
81932 Germany2nd of 5 teams Hungary1st of 5 teams
91936 Hungary1st of 16 teams Germany*2nd of 16 teams
101948 Hungary2nd of 18 teams Germanydid not participate
111952 Italy3rd of 21 teams Hungary1st of 21 teams
121956 Hungary1st of 10 teams Yugoslavia†2nd of 10 teams
131960 Hungary3rd of 16 teams Yugoslavia†4th of 16 teams
141964 Italy4th of 13 teams Soviet Union†3rd of 13 teams
#YearDefending championsFinishDefending runners-upFinish
151968 Hungary3rd of 15 teams Yugoslavia†1st of 15 teams
161972 Yugoslavia†5th of 16 teams Soviet Union†1st of 16 teams
171976 Soviet Union†8th of 12 teams Hungary1st of 12 teams
181980 Hungary3rd of 12 teams Italy8th of 12 teams
191984 Soviet Union†Qualified but withdrew Yugoslavia†1st of 12 teams
201988 Yugoslavia†1st of 12 teams United States2nd of 12 teams
211992 Yugoslavia†Defunct United States4th of 12 teams
221996 Italy3rd of 12 teams Spain1st of 12 teams
232000 Spain4th of 12 teams Croatia7th of 12 teams
242004 Hungary1st of 12 teams Russia3rd of 12 teams
252008 Hungary1st of 12 teams Serbia and Montenegro†Defunct
262012 Hungary5th of 12 teams United States8th of 12 teams
272016 Croatia2nd of 12 teams Italy3rd of 12 teams
282020 Serbia1st of 12 teams Croatia5th of 12 teams
292024 Serbia1st of 12 teams Greece5th of 12 teams
302028 SerbiaTBD of 12 teams CroatiaTBD
#YearDefending championsFinishDefending runners-upFinish

Best finishes by team

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The following table is pre-sorted by best finish (in descending order), name of the team (in ascending order), respectively. Last updated: 8 August 2021.

Legend and abbreviation

  • Year* – As host team
  • Team† – Defunct team
  • Apps – Appearances
  • stats – Olympic water polo team statistics
Best finishes by team
RkMen's team[1]Best finishAppsConfederation
1  Hungary (stats)Champions (1932, 1936, 1952, 1956, 1964, 1976, 2000, 2004, 2008)23Europe – LEN
2  Great Britain (stats)Champions (1900, 1908*, 1912, 1920)11Europe – LEN
3  Italy (stats)Champions (1948, 1960*, 1992)21Europe – LEN
 Yugoslavia† (stats)Champions (1968, 1984, 1988)12Europe – LEN
5  Serbia (stats)Champions (2016, 2020)4Europe – LEN
 Soviet Union† (stats)Champions (1972, 1980*)9Europe – LEN
7  Croatia (stats)Champions (2012)7Europe – LEN
 France (stats)Champions (1924*)11Europe – LEN
 Germany (stats)Champions (1928)9Europe – LEN
 Spain (stats)Champions (1996)18Europe – LEN
11  Belgium (stats)Runners-up (1900, 1908, 1920*, 1924)11Europe – LEN
12  United States (stats)Runners-up (1984*, 1988, 2008)22Americas – UANA
13  Greece (stats)Runners-up (2020)16Europe – LEN
 Russia (stats)Runners-up (2000)3Europe – LEN
 Serbia and Montenegro† (stats)Runners-up (2004)1Europe – LEN
 Sweden (stats)Runners-up (1912*)8Europe – LEN
17  Netherlands (stats)Third place (1948, 1976)17Europe – LEN
18 International Olympic Committee Unified Team†[b] (stats)Third place (1992)1Europe – LEN
 West Germany† (stats)Third place (1984)5Europe – LEN
 Yugoslavia†[e] (stats)Third place (2000)2Europe – LEN
21  Montenegro (stats)Fourth place (2008, 2012, 2016)4Europe – LEN
22  AustriaFourth place (1912)3Europe – LEN
 Japan (stats)Fourth place (1932)9Asia – AASF
 Romania (stats)Fourth place (1976)9Europe – LEN
25  Australia (stats)Fifth place (1984, 1992)17Oceania – OSA
26  CubaFifth place (1980)5Americas – UANA
27 Germany United Team of Germany† (stats)Sixth place (1956, 1960, 1964)3Europe – LEN
28  Brazil (stats)Sixth place (1920)8Americas – UANA
 Czechoslovakia†Sixth place (1924)5Europe – LEN
 East Germany†Sixth place (1968)1Europe – LEN
31  Egypt (stats)Seventh place (1948)6Africa – CANA
32  MaltaEighth place (1928)2Europe – LEN
33  Canada (stats)Ninth place (1976*)4Americas – UANA
 ChinaNinth place (1984)3Asia – AASF
 IrelandNinth place (1924)2Europe – LEN
 Kazakhstan (stats)Ninth place (2000)4Asia – AASF
 South AfricaNinth place (1960)3Africa – CANA
38  ArgentinaTenth place (1948)4Americas – UANA
 MexicoTenth place (1976)4Americas – UANA
 SingaporeTenth place (1956)1Asia – AASF
41  BulgariaEleventh place (1972)2Europe – LEN
 LuxembourgEleventh place (1928)1Europe – LEN
  SwitzerlandEleventh place (1920)5Europe – LEN
44  IndiaTwelfth place (1948)2Asia – AASF
 IranTwelfth place (1976)1Asia – AASF
 SlovakiaTwelfth place (2000)1Europe – LEN
 South KoreaTwelfth place (1988*)1Asia – AASF
 UkraineTwelfth place (1996)1Europe – LEN
49  UruguayThirteenth place (1936)2Americas – UANA
50  IcelandFifteenth place (1936)1Europe – LEN
51  ChileSeventeenth place (1948)1Americas – UANA
52  PortugalTwentieth place (1952)1Europe – LEN
RkMen's teamBest finishAppsConfederation

Finishes in the top four

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The following table is pre-sorted by total finishes in the top four (in descending order), number of Olympic gold medals (in descending order), number of Olympic silver medals (in descending order), number of Olympic bronze medals (in descending order), name of the team (in ascending order), respectively. Last updated: 8 August 2021.

Legend

  • Year* – As host team
  • Team† – Defunct team
RkMen's team[1]TotalChampionsRunners-upThird placeFourth placeFirstLast
1  Hungary189 (1932, 1936, 1952, 1956, 1964, 1976, 2000, 2004, 2008)3 (1928, 1948, 1972)4 (1960, 1968, 1980, 2020)2 (1996, 2024)19282024
2  Italy113 (1948, 1960*, 1992)2 (1976, 2012)3 (1952, 1996, 2016)3 (1956, 1964, 1968)19482016
3  United States103 (1984*, 1988, 2008)4 (1924, 1932*, 1972, 2024)3 (1920, 1952, 1992)19202024
4  Yugoslavia†83 (1968, 1984, 1988)4 (1952, 1956, 1964, 1980)1 (1960)19521988
5  Soviet Union†72 (1972, 1980*)2 (1960, 1968)3 (1956, 1964, 1988)19561988
6  Belgium74 (1900, 1908, 1920*, 1924)2 (1912, 1936)1 (1948)19001948
7  Spain61 (1996)1 (1992*)4 (1980, 1984, 2000, 2020)19802020
8  Great Britain54 (1900, 1908*, 1912, 1920)1 (1928)19001928
9  Serbia53 (2016, 2020, 2024)2 (2008, 2012)20082024
10  France51 (1924*)3 (1900*×2,[c] 1928)1 (1936)19001936
11  Croatia41 (2012)3 (1996, 2016, 2024)19962024
12  Sweden41 (1912*)2 (1908, 1920)1 (1924)19081924
13  Germany31 (1928)2 (1932, 1936*)19281936
14  Netherlands32 (1948, 1976)1 (1908)19081976
15  West Germany†31 (1984)2 (1972*, 1988)19721988
16  Montenegro33 (2008, 2012, 2016)20082016
17  Russia21 (2000)1 (2004)20002004
18  Greece21 (2020)1 (2004*)20042020
19  Serbia and Montenegro†11 (2004)20042004
20  Yugoslavia†[e]11 (2000)20002000
International Olympic Committee Unified Team†[b]1 (1992)19921992
22  Austria11 (1912)19121912
 Japan1 (1932)19321932
 Romania1 (1976)19761976
RkMen's teamTotalChampionsRunners-upThird placeFourth placeFirstLast

Medal table

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The following table is pre-sorted by number of Olympic gold medals (in descending order), number of Olympic silver medals (in descending order), number of Olympic bronze medals (in descending order), name of the team (in ascending order), respectively. Last updated: 11 August 2024.

Hungary is the most successful country in the men's Olympic water polo tournament, with nine gold, three silver and four bronze.[1]

Legend
  • Team† – Defunct team
RankMen's teamGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1 Hungary (HUN)93416
2 Yugoslavia (YUG)†3407
3 Italy (ITA)3238
4 Serbia (SRB)3025
5 Great Britain (GBR)[g]3003
6 Soviet Union (URS)†2237
7 United States (USA)[h]14510
8 Croatia (CRO)1304
9 Germany (GER)1203
10 Spain (ESP)1102
11 France (FRA)[c]1023
12 Mixed team†1012
13 Belgium (BEL)0426
14 Sweden (SWE)0123
15 Russia (RUS)0112
 Serbia and Montenegro (SCG)†[e]0112
17 Greece (GRE)0101
18 Netherlands (NED)0022
19 Unified Team†[b]0011
 West Germany (FRG)†0011
Totals (20 entries)29293088

Longest active appearance droughts

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The following table is pre-sorted by number of Olympic tournaments missed (in descending order), year of the last appearance (in ascending order), name of the team (in ascending order), respectively. Last updated: 8 August 2021.

Notes:

  • Does not include teams that have not yet made their first appearance at the Olympics or teams that no longer exist.
  • With the exception of 1916, 1940 and 1944, does not include droughts when the Olympic tournament was not held due to World War I and II.
Legend
  • Year* – As host team
Longest active appearance droughts
RkMen's team[1]Last appearanceOlympics missedBest finishConfederation
1 Ireland192821Ninth placeEurope – LEN
 Luxembourg192821Eleventh placeEurope – LEN
3 Iceland193619Fifteenth placeEurope – LEN
 Malta193619Eighth placeEurope – LEN
5 Chile194818Seventeenth placeAmericas – UANA
  Switzerland194818Eleventh placeEurope – LEN
 Uruguay194818Thirteenth placeAmericas – UANA
8 Austria195217Fourth placeEurope – LEN
 India195217Twelfth placeAsia – AASF
 Portugal195217Twentieth placeEurope – LEN
11 Singapore195616Tenth placeAsia – AASF
12 Argentina196015Tenth placeAmericas – UANA
13 Belgium196414Runners-upEurope – LEN
14 Iran197611Twelfth placeAsia – AASF
 Mexico197611Tenth placeAmericas – UANA
16 Bulgaria198010Eleventh placeEurope – LEN
 Sweden198010Runners-upEurope – LEN
18 South Korea1988*8Twelfth placeAsia – AASF
19 Cuba19927Fifth placeAmericas – UANA
20 Ukraine19966Twelfth placeEurope – LEN
21 Netherlands20005Third placeEurope – LEN
 Slovakia20005Twelfth placeEurope – LEN
23 Egypt20044Seventh placeAfrica – CANA
 Russia20044Runners-upEurope – LEN
25 Canada20083Ninth placeAmericas – UANA
 China2008*3Ninth placeAsia – AASF
 Germany20083ChampionsEurope – LEN
28 Great Britain2012*2ChampionsEurope – LEN
 Romania20122Fourth placeEurope – LEN
30 Brazil2016*1Sixth placeAmericas – UANA
 France20161ChampionsEurope – LEN
32 Australia20200Fifth placeOceania – OSA
 Croatia20200ChampionsEurope – LEN
 Greece20200Runners-upEurope – LEN
 Hungary20200ChampionsEurope – LEN
 Italy20200ChampionsEurope – LEN
 Japan2020*0Fourth placeAsia – AASF
 Kazakhstan20200Ninth placeAsia – AASF
 Montenegro20200Fourth placeEurope – LEN
 Serbia20200ChampionsEurope – LEN
 South Africa20200Ninth placeAfrica – CANA
 Spain20200ChampionsEurope – LEN
 United States20200Runners-upAmericas – UANA
RkMen's teamLast appearanceOlympics missedBest finishConfederation

Longest appearance droughts overall

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The following table is pre-sorted by number of Olympic tournaments missed (in descending order), year of the previous appearance (in ascending order), name of the team (in ascending order), respectively. Last updated: 8 August 2021.

Notes:

  • Only includes droughts begun after a team's first appearance and until the team ceased to exist.
  • With the exception of 1916, 1940 and 1944, does not include droughts when the Olympic tournament was not held due to World War I and II.
Legend
  • Year* – As host team
  • Team† – Defunct team
Longest appearance droughts overall
RkMen's team[1]Prev. appearanceNext appearanceOlympics missedBest finishConfederation
1 Ireland1928active21Ninth placeEurope – LEN
 Luxembourg1928active21Eleventh placeEurope – LEN
3 Iceland1936active19Fifteenth placeEurope – LEN
 Malta1936active19Eighth placeEurope – LEN
5 Chile1948active18Seventeenth placeAmericas – UANA
  Switzerland1948active18Eleventh placeEurope – LEN
 Uruguay1948active18Thirteenth placeAmericas – UANA
8 Austria1952active17Fourth placeEurope – LEN
 India1952active17Twelfth placeAsia – AASF
 Portugal1952active17Twentieth placeEurope – LEN
11 Singapore1956active16Tenth placeAsia – AASF
12 Argentina1960active15Tenth placeAmericas – UANA
13 South Africa1960202014Ninth placeAfrica – CANA
 Belgium1964active14Runners-upEurope – LEN
15 Great Britain19562012*13ChampionsEurope – LEN
16 Czechoslovakia†1936199211Sixth placeEurope – LEN
 Iran1976active11Twelfth placeAsia – AASF
 Mexico1976active11Tenth placeAmericas – UANA
19 Bulgaria1980active10Eleventh placeEurope – LEN
 Sweden1980active10Runners-upEurope – LEN
21 Germany195219929ChampionsEurope – LEN
22 Egypt196820048Seventh placeAfrica – CANA
 South Korea1988*active8Twelfth placeAsia – AASF
24 Brazil19842016*7Sixth placeAmericas – UANA
 Japan198420167Fourth placeAsia – AASF
 Cuba1992active7Fifth placeAmericas – UANA
27 France196019886ChampionsEurope – LEN
 Ukraine1996active6Twelfth placeEurope – LEN
29 Canada198420085Ninth placeAmericas – UANA
 Netherlands2000active5Third placeEurope – LEN
 Slovakia2000active5Twelfth placeEurope – LEN
32 Greece194819684Runners-upEurope – LEN
 China19882008*4Ninth placeAsia – AASF
 Russia2004active4Runners-upEurope – LEN
35 Italy192419483ChampionsEurope – LEN
 Spain195219683ChampionsEurope – LEN
 Romania198019963Fourth placeEurope – LEN
199620123
38 United States19721984*2Runners-upAmericas – UANA
39 Hungary191219241ChampionsEurope – LEN
198019881
 Australia196419721Fifth placeOceania – OSA
19922000*1
 West Germany†197619841Third placeEurope – LEN
 Soviet Union†1980*19881ChampionsEurope – LEN
 Kazakhstan200420121Ninth placeAsia – AASF
201220201
44Germany United Team of Germany†1964defunct0Sixth placeEurope – LEN
 East Germany†1968defunct0Sixth placeEurope – LEN
 Yugoslavia†1988defunct0ChampionsEurope – LEN
International Olympic Committee Unified Team†[b]1992defunct0Third placeEurope – LEN
 Yugoslavia†[e]2000defunct0Third placeEurope – LEN
 Serbia and Montenegro†2004defunct0Runners-upEurope – LEN
 Croatia2020active0ChampionsEurope – LEN
 Montenegro2020active0Fourth placeEurope – LEN
 Serbia2020active0ChampionsEurope – LEN
RkMen's teamPrev. appearanceNext appearanceOlympics missedBest finishConfederation

Team records

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Teams having equal quantities in the tables below are ordered by the tournament the quantity was attained in (the teams that attained the quantity first are listed first). If the quantity was attained by more than one team in the same tournament, these teams are ordered alphabetically. Last updated: 8 August 2021.

Legend
  • Year* – As host team
  • Team† – Defunct team

Appearances

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Most appearances
23, Hungary (1912, 1924, 1928, 1932, 1936, 1948, 1952, 1956, 1960, 1964, 1968, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020).
Most appearances, never winning a title
21, United States (1920, 1924, 1928, 1932*, 1936, 1948, 1952, 1956, 1960, 1964, 1968, 1972, 1984*, 1988, 1992, 1996*, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016).
Most appearances, never finishing in the top two
17, Netherlands (1908, 1920, 1924, 1928*, 1936, 1948, 1952, 1960, 1964, 1968, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1984, 1992, 1996, 2000).
Most appearances, never winning a medal
16, Australia (1948, 1952, 1956*, 1960, 1964, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 2000*, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016).
Most appearances, never finishing in the top four
16, Australia (1948, 1952, 1956*, 1960, 1964, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 2000*, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016).
Fewest appearances
1, Luxembourg (1928), Iceland (1936), Chile (1948), Portugal (1952), Singapore (1956), East Germany† (1968), Iran (1976), South Korea (1988*), Unified Team†[b] (1992), Ukraine (1996), Slovakia (2000), Serbia and Montenegro† (2004).
Fewest appearances, winning a title
4, Serbia (2008, 2012, 2016, 2020).
Fewest appearances, finishing in the top two
1, Serbia and Montenegro† (2004).
Fewest appearances, finishing in the top two, active team
3, Russia (1996, 2000, 2004).
Fewest appearances, winning a medal
1, Unified Team†[b] (1992), Serbia and Montenegro† (2004).
Fewest appearances, winning a medal, active team
3, Russia (1996, 2000, 2004).
Fewest appearances, finishing in the top four
1, Unified Team†[b] (1992), Serbia and Montenegro† (2004).
Fewest appearances, finishing in the top four, active team
3, Austria (1912, 1936, 1952), Russia (1996, 2000, 2004).

Top four

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Most titles won
9, Hungary (1932, 1936, 1952, 1956, 1964, 1976, 2000, 2004, 2008).
Most second-place finishes
4, Belgium (1900, 1908, 1920*, 1924), Yugoslavia† (1952, 1956, 1964, 1980).
Most third-place finishes
4, Hungary (1960, 1968, 1980, 2020).
Most fourth-place finishes
4, Spain (1980, 1984, 2000, 2020).
Most finishes in the top two
12, Hungary (1928, 1932, 1936, 1948, 1952, 1956, 1964, 1972, 1976, 2000, 2004, 2008).
Most finishes in the top two, never winning a title
4, Belgium (1900, 1908, 1920*, 1924).
Most finishes in the top three
16, Hungary (1928, 1932, 1936, 1948, 1952, 1956, 1960, 1964, 1968, 1972, 1976, 1980, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2020).
Most finishes in the top three, never winning a title
6, Belgium (1900, 1908, 1912, 1920*, 1924, 1936), United States (1924, 1932, 1972, 1984, 1988, 2008).
Most finishes in the top three, never finishing in the top two
2, Netherlands (1948, 1976).
Most finishes in the top four
17, Hungary (1928, 1932, 1936, 1948, 1952, 1956, 1960, 1964, 1968, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2020).
Most finishes in the top four, never winning a title
9, United States (1920, 1924, 1932*, 1952, 1972, 1984*, 1988, 1992, 2008).
Most finishes in the top four, never finishing in the top two
3, Netherlands (1908, 1948, 1976), West Germany† (1972*, 1984, 1988), Montenegro (2008, 2012, 2016).
Most finishes in the top four, never winning a medal
3, Montenegro (2008, 2012, 2016).
Fewest finishes in the top two, winning a title
1, France (1924*).
Fewest finishes in the top three, winning a title
2, Spain (1992*, 1996).
Fewest finishes in the top three, finishing in the top two
1, Serbia and Montenegro† (2004), Greece (2020).
Fewest finishes in the top four, winning a title
3, Germany (1928, 1932, 1936*), Croatia (1996, 2012, 2016).
Fewest finishes in the top four, finishing in the top two
1, Serbia and Montenegro† (2004).
Fewest finishes in the top four, finishing in the top two, active team
2, Russia (2000, 2004), Greece (2004, 2020).
Fewest finishes in the top four, winning a medal
1, Unified Team†[b] (1992), FR Yugoslavia† (2000), Serbia and Montenegro† (2004).
Fewest finishes in the top four, winning a medal, active team
2, Russia (2000, 2004), Greece (2004, 2020).

Consecutive

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Most consecutive titles won
3, Great Britain (1908*–1912–1920), Hungary (2000–2004–2008), Serbia (2016-2020-2024).
Most consecutive second-place finishes
2, Belgium (1920*–1924), Germany (1932–1936*), Yugoslavia† (1952–1956), United States (1984*–1988).
Most consecutive third-place finishes
2, Serbia (2008–2012).
Most consecutive fourth-place finishes
3, Montenegro (2008–2012–2016).
Most consecutive finishes in the top two
6, Hungary (1928–1932–1936–1948–1952–1956).
Most consecutive finishes in the top three
12, Hungary (1928–1932–1936–1948–1952–1956–1960–1964–1968–1972–1976–1980).
Most consecutive finishes in the top four
12, Hungary (1928–1932–1936–1948–1952–1956–1960–1964–1968–1972–1976–1980).
Most consecutive appearances
19, Italy (1948–1952–1956–1960*–1964–1968–1972–1976–1980–1984–1988–1992–1996–2000–2004–2008–2012–2016–2020).
Biggest improvement in position in consecutive tournaments
Did not participate/qualify, then won the title, Germany (1924–1928), Italy (1936–1948).

Gaps

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Longest gap between successive titles
24 years, Hungary (1976–2000).
Longest gap between successive second-place finishes
36 years, Italy (1976–2012).
Longest gap between successive third-place finishes
44 years, Italy (1952–1996).
Longest gap between successive fourth-place finishes
40 years, United States (1952–1992).
Longest gap between successive appearances in the top two
24 years, Hungary (1976–2000).
Longest gap between successive appearances in the top three
40 years, United States (1932*–1972).
Longest gap between successive appearances in the top four
40 years, Netherlands (1908–1948).
Longest gap between successive appearances
61 years, South Africa (1960–2020).

Debuting teams

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Best finish by a debuting team
Champions, Great Britain (1900).
Best finish by a debuting team after 1900
Runners-up, Croatia (1996), Serbia and Montenegro† (2004).
Worst finish by a debuting team
20th position, Portugal (1952).
Worst finish by a debuting team after 1972
12th position (last position), Iran (1976), South Korea (1988*), Ukraine (1996), Slovakia (2000).

Host teams

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Best finish by host team
Champions, Great Britain (1908*), France (1924*), Italy (1960*), Soviet Union† (1980*).
Worst finish by host team
Did not participate/qualify, Finland (1952*).
Worst finish by host team that participates in the tournament
13th position, Great Britain (1948*).
Worst finish by host team that participates in the tournament after 1972
12th position (last position), South Korea (1988*), China (2008*), Great Britain (2012*).
Best finish by last host team
Champions, Great Britain (1912), Spain (1996).
Worst finish by last host team
Did not participate/qualify, Netherlands (1932), Germany (1948), Canada (1980), Soviet Union† (1984, withdrew), South Korea (1992), China (2012), Great Britain (2016), Brazil (2020).
Worst finish by last host team that participates in the tournament
15th position, Australia (1960).
Worst finish by last host team that participates in the tournament after 1972
9th position, Australia (2004).
Had its best performance as hosts
Champions, Great Britain (1908*), France (1924*), Italy (1960*), Soviet Union† (1980*).
Runners-up, Sweden (1912*), Belgium (1920*), United States (1984*).
9th position, Canada (1976*).
12th position, South Korea (1988*).
Had its worst performance as hosts
12th position, South Korea (1988*), China (2008*).
13th position, Great Britain (1948*).
Had its worst performance as hosts after 1972
12th position (last position), South Korea (1988*), China (2008*), Great Britain (2012*).

Defending champions

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Best finish by defending champions
Champions, Great Britain (1912, 1920), Hungary (1936, 1956, 2004, 2008), Yugoslavia† (1988), Serbia (2020).
Worst finish by defending champions
Did not participate/qualify, Soviet Union† (1984, withdrew), Yugoslavia† (1992, defunct).
Worst finish by defending champions that participates in the next tournament
8th position, Great Britain (1924), Soviet Union† (1976).

Defending runners-up

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Best finish by defending runners-up
Champions, Hungary (1932, 1952, 1976), Soviet Union† (1972), Spain (1996), Yugoslavia† (1968, 1984).
Worst finish by defending runners-up
Did not participate/qualify, Germany (1948), Serbia and Montenegro† (2008, defunct).
Worst finish by defending runners-up that participates in the next tournament
8th position, Italy (1980), United States (2012).

Population

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Most populated country, participant
China (2008*), 1,324,655,000 (source)
Least populated country, participant
Iceland (1928), 104,000 (source)
Least populated country, participant, after 1972
Montenegro (2008), 616,000 (source)
Most populated country, hosts
China (2008*), 1,324,655,000 (source)
Least populated country, hosts
Finland (1952*), 4,090,000 (source)
Most populated country, champions
Soviet Union† (1980*), more than 260,000,000 (source)
Least populated country, champions
Croatia (2012), 4,267,000 (source)
Most populated country, runners-up
United States (2008), 304,375,000 (source)
Least populated country, runners-up
Croatia (1996), 4,516,000 (source)
Most populated country, third place
Unified Team†[b] (1992), more than 280,000,000 (source)
Least populated country, third place
Sweden (1908), 5,404,000 (source)
Most populated country, fourth place
United States (1992), 256,514,000 (source)
Least populated country, fourth place
Montenegro (2008), 616,000 (source)

Confederation statistics

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Number of teams by confederation

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This is a summary of the total number of participating teams by confederation in each tournament. Last updated: 7 August 2021.

Legend
  •   – Forthcoming tournament
Confederation 00 04 08 12 20 24 28 32 36 48 52 56 60 64 68 72 76 80 84 88 92 96 00 04 08 12 16 20
Africa – CANA————————12—211————————1———1
Americas – UANA———212224413244313121112121
Asia – AASF——————1111111111—22——111112
Europe – LEN746101212213111379891071068911988987
Oceania – OSA————————11111—111111—111111
Total teams74612131451618211016131516121212121212121212121212

Best performances by tournament

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This is a summary of the best performances of each confederation in each tournament.[1] Last updated: 8 August 2021.

Note: italic number in header means unofficial tournament was held.

Legend

  •  1st  – Champions
  •  2nd  – Runners-up
  •  3rd  – Third place
  •  4th  – Fourth place
  •  Q  – Qualified for forthcoming tournament
Confederation 00 04 08 12 20 24 28 32 36 48 52 56 60 64 68 72 76 80 84 88 92 96 00 04 08 12 16 20 24
Africa – CANA ————————7th10th—9th12th15th————————12th———12th—
Americas – UANA ———4th3rd7th3rd9th10th4th5th7th9th5th3rd7th5th2nd2nd4th7th6th7th2nd8th10th6th3rd
Asia – AASF ——————4th14th12th21st10th14th11th12th15th12th—9th11th——9th11th12th11th12th10th11th
Europe – LEN 1st1st1st1st1st1st1st1st1st1st1st1st1st1st1st1st1st1st1st1st1st1st1st1st1st1st1st1st
Oceania – OSA ————————18th19th9th15th10th—12th11th7th5th8th5th—8th9th8th7th9th9th8th
Total teams7461213145161821101613151612121212121212121212121212

All-time best performances

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This is a summary of the best performances of each confederation at the Olympics.[1] Last updated: 8 August 2021.

Legend
  • Year* – As host team
  • Team† – Defunct team
ConfederationBest performanceMen's team
Africa – CANA 7th Egypt (1948)
Americas – UANA 2nd United States (1984*, 1988, 2008)
Asia – AASF 4th Japan (1932)
Europe – LEN 1st Croatia (2012),  France (1924*),  Germany (1928),  Great Britain (1900, 1908*, 1912, 1920),  Hungary (1932, 1936, 1952, 1956, 1964, 1976, 2000, 2004, 2008),  Italy (1948, 1960*, 1992),  Serbia (2016, 2020),  Soviet Union† (1972, 1980*),  Spain (1996),  Yugoslavia† (1968, 1984, 1988)
Oceania – OSA 5th Australia (1984, 1992)

See also

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Notes

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  1. ↑ At the 1932 Olympics, Brazil was disqualified after their players attacked the Hungarian referee at the end of their match against Germany. Their two matches were annulled. Therefore, Hungary and Japan won their games scheduled with Brazil, by forfeit. For more details, please see the Official Report of the 1932 Olympic Games (pp. 650–651), and here.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 In 1992, 12 of the 15 former Soviet Republics competed together as the Unified Team and marched under the Olympic Flag in the Barcelona Games.
  3. 1 2 3 4 France had four teams compete in 1900. Bronze medals were given to the losers of both semifinals; France took both bronze. Bill Burgess, a member of one of the French bronze team was a British nationality, so later IOC attributed one bronze medal to Mixed team.
  4. ↑ The Olympic Committee of the Soviet Union was formed on 21 April 1951, and was recognised by the International Olympic Committee on 7 May 1951.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 After the breakup of Yugoslavia, FR Yugoslavia men's national water polo team participated at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics, and won a bronze medal in 2000. In 2003, after the country was renamed from FR Yugoslavia to Serbia and Montenegro, the team was also renamed to "Serbia and Montenegro men's national water polo team". Despite the renaming of the country name, both team of FR Yugoslavia and team of Serbia and Montenegro represented the same national entity: a joint state of Montenegro and Serbia.
  6. ↑ While Australia had qualified to compete as one of sixteen water polo teams, the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) did not endorse them. The Australian players responded by paying their own way to travel to Mexico City, but the team were not allowed to compete. For more details, please see here (1, 2).
  7. ↑ British team won gold medal in 1900. Victor Lindberg, a member of British team was a New Zealander, so later IOC attributed gold medal to Mixed team.
  8. ↑ Previously, the International Olympic Committee and International Swimming Federation (FINA) considered the water polo event at the 1904 Olympics as a demonstration sport. However, in July 2021, after accepting the recommendation of Olympic historian Bill Mallon, the IOC recognized water polo along with several others as an official sport of the 1904 Olympic program.

References

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  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 "HistoFINA – Water polo medalists and statistics" (PDF). fina.org. FINA. September 2019. p. 4. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 August 2021. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  2. ↑ "Water polo men - Olympic Water Polo". olympic.org. International Olympic Committee. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  3. ↑ "Water Polo — Water Polo, Men". Olympedia. Olympedia. Retrieved 15 January 2021.

Sources

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Official Reports (IOC)

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PDF documents in the LA84 Foundation Digital Library:

Official Results Books (IOC)

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Official Reports (FINA)

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Official website (IOC)

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Olympedia

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Water polo on the Olympedia website:

Sports Reference

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Water polo on the Sports Reference website:

Todor66

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Water polo on the Todor66 website:

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