The 2026 World Aquatics Men's U18 Water Polo Championships was the seventh edition of the biannual tournament for under-18 men's national water polo teams across the world, organized by the world's governing aquatics body, World Aquatics. The tournament was played from 27 June to 4 July 2026 in Rio Maior, Portugal.

20 teams participated in the tournament. Croatia secured their second overall title with a penalty shootout victory over United States in the final,

Hosts selection Rio Maior in Portugal was given the hosting rights on 7 January 2026. This was the first time the country hosted the event.

Quotes

Participating teams

Africa

Americas

Asia

Europe

(Hosts)

Oceania

Format The 20 teams were divided in two divisions. The top eight teams made Division 1 and the other 12 Division 2. Division 1 was split into two groups of four teams, while Division 2 was split into four groups of three teams. The top two teams from each group of Division 1 advanced directly to the quarterfinals, while the bottom two teams from each group played against Division 2 group winners in the crossover round. Starting with quarterfinals onward, the regular knock-out system with consolation playoffs and final classification matches was used.

Draw The draw took place on 8 May 2026.

All times are local (Western European Summer Time; UTC+1).

Group stage Division 1 Group A

Group B

Division 2 Group C

Group D

Group E

Group F

13th–20th place classification Group G

Group H

19th place match

17th place match

15th place match

13th place match

Crossover 1 In Crossover 1, the four advancing teams from Division 2 each played a seeding match. Continuing in Crossover 2, the winners of these ties played against fourth-placed teams from Division 1, while the losers played against third-placed teams from Division 1.

Knockout round Brackets Main bracket

5th place bracket

9th place bracket

Crossover 2

9th–12th place semifinals

11th place match

9th place match

Quarterfinals

5th–8th place semifinals

7th place match

5th place match

Semifinals

3rd place match

Final

Final standings

RankTeam4567891011121314151617181920

Awards goalkeeper of the tournament: Nikša Batoš coach of the tournament: Nikola Koljanin

Squads

Nikola Batoš (captain), Duje Burazin, Nikola Ferić, Toni Galušić, Petar Erenda, Filip Rogić, Mihael Mladineo, Matej Šorić, Dominik Beljan, Nardo Skejić, Nardo Dragaš, Marin Bajurin, Ivano Lončar, Toma Drobac and Deni Sappe. Coach: Hrvoje Koljanin.

References

External links Official website Information bulletin