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.

National team appearances in the men's Olympic water polo tournament
Governing bodyFINA
Events2 (men: 1; women: 1)
Games
Note: demonstration or exhibition sport years indicated in italics
Champions (men • women)
Player appearances (men • women)
Records and statistics (men • women)
Team appearances (men • women)
Venues

As of 2016, 52 men's national water polo teams from six continents have competed at the Summer Olympics. Ten European teams have won all 26 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
Apps Appearances Ref Reference Rk Rank

Team statistics
See also: List of men's Olympic water polo tournament records and statistics § Team statistics

Debut of teams

Last updated: 18 January 2021.

Legend
  • Team* – Host team
  • Team† – Defunct team
#Year[1]Debuting teamsNumberCumulative total
AfricaAmericasAsiaEuropeOceania
11900––– Belgium,  France*,  Germany,  Great Britain–44
21904Water polo was a demonstration 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–– Singapore 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––– Unified Team†[lower-alpha 1]–143
221996––– Croatia,  Russia,  Ukraine,  FR Yugoslavia†[lower-alpha 2]–447
232000–– Kazakhstan Slovakia–249
242004––– Serbia and Montenegro†–150
252008––– Montenegro,  Serbia–252
262012–––––052
272016–––––052
282020–––TBD–TBDTBD
Total2873415252

Number of appearances by team

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: 18 January 2021.

Legend and abbreviation
  • Year* – As host team
  • Team† – Defunct team
  • Apps – Appearances
Number of appearances by team
RkMen's team[1]AppsRecord
streak		Active
streak		DebutMost
recent		Best finishConfederation
1 Hungary2213819122016ChampionsEurope – LEN
2 United States2112919202016Runners-upAmericas – ASUA
3 Italy20181819202016ChampionsEurope – LEN
4 Netherlands177019082000Third placeEurope – LEN
 Spain17101019202016ChampionsEurope – LEN
6 Australia166519482016Fifth placeOceania – OSA
7 Greece15101019202016Fourth placeEurope – LEN
8 Yugoslavia†1212019361988ChampionsEurope – LEN
9 Belgium115019001964Runners-upEurope – LEN
 Great Britain115019002012*ChampionsEurope – LEN
 France11411900*2016ChampionsEurope – LEN
12 Soviet Union†98019521988ChampionsEurope – LEN
 Germany93019002008ChampionsEurope – LEN
 Romania94019522012Fourth placeEurope – LEN
15 Sweden84019081980Runners-upEurope – LEN
 Brazil83119202016*Sixth placeAmericas – ASUA
 Japan84119322016Fourth placeAsia – AASF
18 Egypt63019482004Seventh placeAfrica – CANA
 Croatia66619962016ChampionsEurope – LEN
20  Switzerland53019201948Eleventh placeEurope – LEN
 West Germany†53019681988Third placeEurope – LEN
 Czechoslovakia†53019201992Sixth placeEurope – LEN
 Cuba54019681992Fifth placeAmericas – ASUA
24 Argentina42019281960Tenth placeAmericas – ASUA
 Mexico43019521976Tenth placeAmericas – ASUA
 Canada42019722008Ninth placeAmericas – ASUA
27 Austria31019121952Fourth placeEurope – LEN
United Team of Germany†33019561964Sixth placeEurope – LEN
 Russia33019962004Runners-upEurope – LEN
 China32019842008*Ninth placeAsia – AASF
 Kazakhstan32020002012Ninth placeAsia – AASF
 Montenegro33320082016Fourth placeEurope – LEN
 Serbia33320082016ChampionsEurope – LEN
34 Ireland22019241928Ninth placeEurope – LEN
 Malta21019281936Eighth placeEurope – LEN
 Uruguay22019361948Thirteenth placeAmericas – ASUA
 India22019481952Twelfth placeAsia – AASF
 South Africa21019521960Ninth placeAfrica – CANA
 Bulgaria21019721980Eleventh placeEurope – LEN
 FR Yugoslavia†[lower-alpha 2]22019962000Third placeEurope – LEN
41 Luxembourg11019281928Eleventh placeEurope – LEN
 Iceland11019361936Fifteenth placeEurope – LEN
 Chile11019481948Seventeenth placeAmericas – ASUA
 Portugal11019521952Twentieth placeEurope – LEN
 Singapore11019561956Tenth placeAsia – AASF
 East Germany†11019681968Sixth placeEurope – LEN
 Iran11019761976Twelfth placeAsia – AASF
 South Korea1101988*1988*Twelfth placeAsia – AASF
Unified Team†[lower-alpha 1]11019921992Third placeEurope – LEN
 Ukraine11019961996Twelfth placeEurope – LEN
 Slovakia11020002000Twelfth placeEurope – LEN
 Serbia and Montenegro†11020042004Runners-upEurope – LEN
RkMen's teamAppsRecord
streak		Active
streak		DebutMost
recent		Best finishConfederation

Comprehensive team results by tournament

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 demonstration tournament was held. Last updated: 18 January 2021.

Legend
  •  1  – Champions
  •  2  – Runners-up
  •  3  – Third place
  •  4  – Fourth place
  •   – Disqualified
  •  Q  – Qualified for forthcoming tournament
  •  —  – The nation did not participate the Games
  •     – Hosts
  • = – More than one team tied for that rank
  • Team† – Defunct team
Abbreviation
  • 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 Years
 Egypt ————710—131215—126
 South Africa —149———————Q2
Americas – ASUA (8 teams)
Men's team[1] 00040812202428323648525660646872768084889296000408121620Years
 Argentina ——13101611—4
 Brazil ————6—[lower-alpha 3]91213131288
 Canada 169—10114
 Chile ————17—1
 Cuba ———8975——85
 Mexico ————181113104
 United States 4373911457953—2247672810Q21
 Uruguay —————1316—2
Asia – AASF (7 teams)
Men's team[1] 00040812202428323648525660646872768084889296000408121620Years
 PR China —————————————————911123
 India ———12212
 Iran ————————12——1
 Japan ———414—14111215—1112Q8
 Kazakhstan —————Part of Soviet Union[lower-alpha 4][lower-alpha 1]91111Q3
 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 Years
 Austria 4—7133
 Belgium 2—2322634616711
 Bulgaria ———————1112—2
 Croatia ————Part of Yugoslavia27106126
 Czechoslovakia† ————1261011—12Defunct5
 East Germany† Part of GermanyP. of EUA6—Part of Germany1
 France 3[lower-alpha 5]—6913461010111111
 Germany =5——122—15See EUASee FRG and GDR795109
 Great Britain 1111848131271211
Men's team 00040812202428323648525660646872768084889296000408121620Years
 Greece 813151414108910610479615
 Hungary 5—5211211313213—56411155Q22
 Iceland ———————151
 Ireland —————914—2
 Italy —1011134144628771358923Q20
 Luxembourg ———11—1
 Malta ——————8—16————2
 Montenegro ————Part of YugoslaviaP. of FRY / SCG4443
Men's team 00040812202428323648525660646872768084889296000408121620Years
 Netherlands —457553588773669101117
 Portugal ———201
 Romania ——————1785584911109
 Russian Federation —————Part of Soviet Union[lower-alpha 4][lower-alpha 1]5233
 Serbia ———Part of YugoslaviaP. of FRY / SCG331Q3
 Serbia and Montenegro† ————Part of YugoslaviaSee FRY2Defunct1
 Slovakia ————Part of Czechoslovakia121
 Soviet Union†[lower-alpha 4] ——————————73232181—3Defunct9
 Spain ———7109—88—9104462146567Q17
Men's team 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 Years
 Sweden —32346511118
  Switzerland 1112121214—5
 Ukraine ——————————Part of Soviet Union[lower-alpha 4][lower-alpha 1]121
Unified Team†[lower-alpha 1] —————Part of Soviet Union[lower-alpha 4]3Defunct1
United Team of Germany† See Germany666See FRG and GDRSee Germany3
 West Germany† Part of GermanyP. of EUA1046—34Part of Germany5
 Yugoslavia† ————1092242155211Defunct12
 FR Yugoslavia†[lower-alpha 2] ————Part of Yugoslavia—83Defunct2
Oceania – OSA (1 team)
Men's team[1] 00040812202428323648525660646872768084889296000408121620Years
 Australia ——1819915101211758589879Q16
Total teams 74612131451618211016131516121212121212121212121212

Results of host teams

Last updated: 18 January 2021.

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[lower-alpha 5]Champions (1924*)11Europe – LEN
21904Water polo was a demonstration 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)21Americas – ASUA
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)16Oceania – OSA
131960 Italy1st‡ of 16 teamsChampions (1948, 1960*, 1992)20Europe – LEN
141964 Japan11th of 13 teamsFourth place (1932)8Asia – AASF
#YearHost teamFinishBest finishAppsConfederation
151968 Mexico11th of 15 teamsTenth place (1976)4Americas – ASUA
161972 West Germany†4th of 16 teamsThird place (1984)5Europe – LEN
171976 Canada9th‡ of 12 teamsNinth place (1976*)4Americas – ASUA
181980 Soviet Union†1st‡ of 12 teamsChampions (1972, 1980*)9Europe – LEN
191984 United States2nd‡ of 12 teamsRunners-up (1984*, 1988, 2008)21Americas – ASUA
201988 South Korea12th‡ of 12 teamsTwelfth place (1988*)1Asia – AASF
211992 Spain2nd of 12 teamsChampions (1996)17Europe – LEN
221996 United States7th of 12 teamsRunners-up (1984*, 1988, 2008)21Americas – ASUA
232000 Australia8th of 12 teamsFifth place (1984, 1992)16Oceania – OSA
242004 Greece4th‡ of 12 teamsFourth place (2004*)15Europe – 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 – ASUA
282020 JapanTBDFourth place (1932)8Asia – AASF
#YearHost teamFinishBest finishAppsConfederation

Results of defending champions and runners-up

Last updated: 18 January 2021.

Legend
  • Team* – Host team
  • Team† – Defunct team
#Year[1]Defending championsFinishDefending runners-upFinish
11900
21904Water polo was a demonstration 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 SerbiaTBD CroatiaTBD
#YearDefending championsFinishDefending runners-upFinish

Best finishes by team

The following table is pre-sorted by best finish (in descending order), name of the team (in ascending order), respectively. Last updated: 18 January 2021.

Legend and abbreviation
  • Year* – As host team
  • Team† – Defunct team
  • Apps – Appearances
Best finishes by team
RkMen's team[1]Best finishAppsConfederation
1 HungaryChampions (1932, 1936, 1952, 1956, 1964, 1976, 2000, 2004, 2008)22Europe – LEN
2 Great BritainChampions (1900, 1908*, 1912, 1920)11Europe – LEN
3 ItalyChampions (1948, 1960*, 1992)20Europe – LEN
 Yugoslavia†Champions (1968, 1984, 1988)12Europe – LEN
5 Soviet Union†Champions (1972, 1980*)9Europe – LEN
6 CroatiaChampions (2012)6Europe – LEN
 FranceChampions (1924*)11Europe – LEN
 GermanyChampions (1928)9Europe – LEN
 SerbiaChampions (2016)3Europe – LEN
 SpainChampions (1996)17Europe – LEN
11 BelgiumRunners-up (1900, 1908, 1920*, 1924)11Europe – LEN
12 United StatesRunners-up (1984*, 1988, 2008)21Americas – ASUA
13 RussiaRunners-up (2000)3Europe – LEN
 Serbia and Montenegro†Runners-up (2004)1Europe – LEN
 SwedenRunners-up (1912*)8Europe – LEN
16 NetherlandsThird place (1948, 1976)17Europe – LEN
17 FR Yugoslavia†[lower-alpha 2]Third place (2000)2Europe – LEN
Unified Team†[lower-alpha 1]Third place (1992)1Europe – LEN
 West Germany†Third place (1984)5Europe – LEN
20 MontenegroFourth place (2008, 2012, 2016)3Europe – LEN
21 AustriaFourth place (1912)3Europe – LEN
 GreeceFourth place (2004*)15Europe – LEN
 JapanFourth place (1932)8Asia – AASF
 RomaniaFourth place (1976)9Europe – LEN
25 AustraliaFifth place (1984, 1992)16Oceania – OSA
26 CubaFifth place (1980)5Americas – ASUA
27 United Team of Germany†Sixth place (1956, 1960, 1964)3Europe – LEN
28 BrazilSixth place (1920)8Americas – ASUA
 Czechoslovakia†Sixth place (1924)5Europe – LEN
 East Germany†Sixth place (1968)1Europe – LEN
31 EgyptSeventh place (1948)6Africa – CANA
32 MaltaEighth place (1928)2Europe – LEN
33 CanadaNinth place (1976*)4Americas – ASUA
 ChinaNinth place (1984)3Asia – AASF
 IrelandNinth place (1924)2Europe – LEN
 KazakhstanNinth place (2000)3Asia – AASF
 South AfricaNinth place (1960)2Africa – CANA
38 ArgentinaTenth place (1948)4Americas – ASUA
 MexicoTenth place (1976)4Americas – ASUA
 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
 South KoreaTwelfth place (1988*)1Asia – AASF
 SlovakiaTwelfth place (2000)1Europe – LEN
 UkraineTwelfth place (1996)1Europe – LEN
49 UruguayThirteenth place (1936)2Americas – ASUA
50 IcelandFifteenth place (1936)1Europe – LEN
51 ChileSeventeenth place (1948)1Americas – ASUA
52 PortugalTwentieth place (1952)1Europe – LEN
RkMen's teamBest finishAppsConfederation

Finishes in the top four

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: 18 January 2021.

Legend
  • Year* – As host team
  • Team† – Defunct team
RkMen's team[1]TotalChampionsRunners-upThird placeFourth placeFirstLast
1 Hungary169 (1932, 1936, 1952, 1956, 1964, 1976, 2000, 2004, 2008)3 (1928, 1948, 1972)3 (1960, 1968, 1980)1 (1996)19282008
2 Italy133 (1948, 1960*, 1992)2 (1976, 2012)3 (1952, 1996, 2016)3 (1956, 1964, 1968)19482016
3 United States93 (1984*, 1988, 2008)3 (1924, 1932*, 1972)3 (1920, 1952, 1992)19202008
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 Great Britain54 (1900, 1908*, 1912, 1920)1 (1928)19001928
8 Spain51 (1996)1 (1992*)3 (1980, 1984, 2000)19802000
9 France51 (1924*)3 (1900*×2[lower-alpha 5], 1928)1 (1936)19001936
10 Sweden41 (1912*)2 (1908, 1920)1 (1924)19081924
11 Croatia31 (2012)2 (1996, 2016)19962016
 Germany1 (1928)2 (1932, 1936*)19281936
13 Serbia31 (2016)2 (2008, 2012)20082016
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 Serbia and Montenegro†11 (2004)20042004
19 FR Yugoslavia†[lower-alpha 2]11 (2000)20002000
Unified Team†[lower-alpha 1]1 (1992)19921992
21 Austria11 (1912)19121912
 Greece1 (2004*)20042004
 Japan1 (1932)19321932
 Romania1 (1976)19761976
RkMen's teamTotalChampionsRunners-upThird placeFourth placeFirstLast

Medal table

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: 12 December 2020.

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

Legend
  • Team† – Defunct team
RankMen's teamGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1 Hungary93315
2 Great Britain4004
3 Yugoslavia†3407
4 Italy3238
5 Soviet Union†2237
6 Croatia1203
 Germany1203
8 Spain1102
9 France[lower-alpha 5]1034
10 Serbia1023
11 Belgium0426
12 United States0336
13 Sweden0123
14 Russia0112
15 Serbia and Montenegro†0101
16 Netherlands0022
17 FR Yugoslavia†[lower-alpha 2]0011
Unified Team†[lower-alpha 1]0011
 West Germany†0011
Totals (19 men's teams)26262779

Longest active appearance droughts

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: 18 January 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 Ireland192820Ninth placeEurope – LEN
 Luxembourg192820Eleventh placeEurope – LEN
3 Iceland193618Fifteenth placeEurope – LEN
 Malta193618Eighth placeEurope – LEN
5 Chile194817Seventeenth placeAmericas – ASUA
  Switzerland194817Eleventh placeEurope – LEN
 Uruguay194817Thirteenth placeAmericas – ASUA
8 Austria195216Fourth placeEurope – LEN
 India195216Twelfth placeAsia – AASF
 Portugal195216Twentieth placeEurope – LEN
11 Singapore195615Tenth placeAsia – AASF
12 Argentina196014Tenth placeAmericas – ASUA
 South Africa196014Ninth placeAfrica – CANA
14 Belgium196413Runners-upEurope – LEN
15 Iran197610Twelfth placeAsia – AASF
 Mexico197610Tenth placeAmericas – ASUA
17 Bulgaria19809Eleventh placeEurope – LEN
 Sweden19809Runners-upEurope – LEN
19 South Korea1988*7Twelfth placeAsia – AASF
20 Cuba19926Fifth placeAmericas – ASUA
21 Ukraine19965Twelfth placeEurope – LEN
22 Netherlands20004Third placeEurope – LEN
 Slovakia20004Twelfth placeEurope – LEN
24 Egypt20043Seventh placeAfrica – CANA
 Russia20043Runners-upEurope – LEN
26 Canada20082Ninth placeAmericas – ASUA
 China2008*2Ninth placeAsia – AASF
 Germany20082ChampionsEurope – LEN
29 Great Britain2012*1ChampionsEurope – LEN
 Kazakhstan20121Ninth placeAsia – AASF
 Romania20121Fourth placeEurope – LEN
32 Australia20160Fifth placeOceania – OSA
 Brazil2016*0Sixth placeAmericas – ASUA
 Croatia20160ChampionsEurope – LEN
 France20160ChampionsEurope – LEN
 Greece20160Fourth placeEurope – LEN
 Hungary20160ChampionsEurope – LEN
 Italy20160ChampionsEurope – LEN
 Japan20160Fourth placeAsia – AASF
 Montenegro20160Fourth placeEurope – LEN
 Serbia20160ChampionsEurope – LEN
 Spain20160ChampionsEurope – LEN
 United States20160Runners-upAmericas – ASUA
RkMen's teamLast appearanceOlympics missedBest finishConfederation

Longest appearance droughts overall

The following table is pre-sorted by number of Olympic tournaments missed (in descending order), year of the next appearance (in ascending order), name of the team (in ascending order), respectively. Last updated: 18 January 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 Ireland1928active20Ninth placeEurope – LEN
 Luxembourg1928active20Eleventh placeEurope – LEN
3 Iceland1936active18Fifteenth placeEurope – LEN
 Malta1936active18Eighth placeEurope – LEN
5 Chile1948active17Seventeenth placeAmericas – ASUA
  Switzerland1948active17Eleventh placeEurope – LEN
 Uruguay1948active17Thirteenth placeAmericas – ASUA
8 Austria1952active16Fourth placeEurope – LEN
 India1952active16Twelfth placeAsia – AASF
 Portugal1952active16Twentieth placeEurope – LEN
11 Singapore1956active15Tenth placeAsia – AASF
12 Argentina1960active14Tenth placeAmericas – ASUA
 South Africa1960active14Ninth placeAfrica – CANA
14 Great Britain19562012*13ChampionsEurope – LEN
 Belgium1964active13Runners-upEurope – LEN
16 Czechoslovakia†1936199211Sixth placeEurope – LEN
17 Iran1976active10Twelfth placeAsia – AASF
 Mexico1976active10Tenth placeAmericas – ASUA
19 Germany195219929ChampionsEurope – LEN
 Bulgaria1980active9Eleventh placeEurope – LEN
 Sweden1980active9Runners-upEurope – LEN
22 Egypt196820048Seventh placeAfrica – CANA
23 Brazil19842016*7Sixth placeAmericas – ASUA
 Japan198420167Fourth placeAsia – AASF
 South Korea1988*active7Twelfth placeAsia – AASF
26 France196019886ChampionsEurope – LEN
 Cuba1992active6Fifth placeAmericas – ASUA
28 Canada198420085Ninth placeAmericas – ASUA
 Ukraine1996active5Twelfth placeEurope – LEN
30 Greece194819684Fourth placeEurope – LEN
 China19882008*4Ninth placeAsia – AASF
 Netherlands2000active4Third placeEurope – LEN
 Slovakia2000active4Twelfth placeEurope – LEN
34 Italy192419483ChampionsEurope – LEN
 Spain195219683ChampionsEurope – LEN
 Romania198019963Fourth placeEurope – LEN
199620123
 Russia2004active3Runners-upEurope – LEN
38 United States19721984*2Runners-upAmericas – ASUA
39 Hungary191219241ChampionsEurope – LEN
198019881
 Australia196419721Fifth placeOceania – OSA
19922000*1
 West Germany†197619841Third placeEurope – LEN
 Soviet Union†1980*19881ChampionsEurope – LEN
 Kazakhstan200420121Ninth placeAsia – AASF
2012active1
44 United Team of Germany†1964defunct0Sixth placeEurope – LEN
 East Germany†1968defunct0Sixth placeEurope – LEN
 Yugoslavia†1988defunct0ChampionsEurope – LEN
Unified Team†[lower-alpha 1]1992defunct0Third placeEurope – LEN
 FR Yugoslavia†[lower-alpha 2]2000defunct0Third placeEurope – LEN
 Serbia and Montenegro†2004defunct0Runners-upEurope – LEN
 Croatia2016active0ChampionsEurope – LEN
 Montenegro2016active0Fourth placeEurope – LEN
 Serbia2016active0ChampionsEurope – LEN
RkMen's teamPrev. appearanceNext appearanceOlympics missedBest finishConfederation

Team records
Main article: List of men's Olympic water polo tournament records and statistics § Team records

Confederation statistics

Number of teams by confederation

This is a summary of the total number of participating teams by confederation in each tournament. Last updated: 15 January 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 – ASUA———212224413244313121112121–3
Asia – AASF——————1111111111—22——111112
Europe – LEN746101212213111379891071068911988985–7
Oceania – OSA————————11111—111111—111111
Total teams74612131451618211016131516121212121212121212121212

Best performances by tournament

This is a summary of the best performances of each confederation in each tournament.[1] Last updated: 15 January 2021.

Note: italic number in header means demonstration 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
Africa – CANA————————7th10th—9th12th15th————————12th———Q
Americas – ASUA———4th3rd7th3rd9th10th4th5th7th9th5th3rd7th5th2nd2nd4th7th6th7th2nd8th10thQ
Asia – AASF——————4th14th12th21st10th14th11th12th15th12th—9th11th——9th11th12th11th12thQ
Europe – LEN1st1st1st1st1st1st1st1st1st1st1st1st1st1st1st1st1st1st1st1st1st1st1st1st1st1stQ
Oceania – OSA————————18th19th9th15th10th—12th11th7th5th8th5th—8th9th8th7th9thQ
Total teams74612131451618211016131516121212121212121212121212

All-time best performances

This is a summary of the best performances of each confederation at the Olympics.[1] Last updated: 15 January 2021.

Legend
  • Year* – As host team
  • Team† – Defunct team
ConfederationBest performanceMen's team
Africa – CANA7th Egypt (1948)
Americas – ASUA2nd United States (1984*, 1988, 2008)
Asia – AASF4th Japan (1932)
Europe – LEN1st 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),  Soviet Union† (1972, 1980*),  Spain (1996),  Yugoslavia† (1968, 1984, 1988)
Oceania – OSA5th Australia (1984, 1992)

See also

Notes
  1. 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.
  2. 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".
  3. 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.
  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. France had four teams compete in 1900. Bronze medals were given to the losers of both semifinals; France took both bronze.

References
  1. "HistoFINA – Water polo medalists and statistics" (PDF). fina.org. FINA. September 2019. p. 4. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 August 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  2. "Water polo men - Olympic Water Polo". olympic.org. International Olympic Committee. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  3. "Water Polo — Water Polo, Men". olympedia.org. Olympedia. Retrieved 15 January 2021.

Sources

Official Reports (IOC)

PDF documents in the LA84 Foundation Digital Library:

Official Results Books (IOC)

PDF documents in the LA84 Foundation Digital Library:

PDF documents on the FINA website:

PDF documents in the Olympic World Library:

Official Reports (FINA)

PDF documents on the FINA website:

Official website (IOC)

Water polo on the International Olympic Committee website:

Olympedia

Water polo on the Olympedia website:

Sports Reference

Water polo on the Sports Reference website:

Todor66

Water polo on the Todor66 website:

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