# 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.

## Abbreviations

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

## Team statistics
### 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 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 | 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) | — | — | — | | | | | — | | 7 | 10 | — | 13 | 12 | 15 | | | — | | | | | | 12 | | | | | | 6 |
| South Africa | — | | | | | | | | | | 14 | | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | | | | | | | 12 | WD | 3 |
Americas – UANA (8 teams) :
| 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 | 24 | Years |
| Argentina | | — | | — | | | 13 | | | 10 | 16 | | 11 | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | 4 |
| Brazil (stats) | — | — | — | — | 6 | | — | | | | 9 | | 12 | 13 | 13 | | | | 12 | | | | | | | | 8 | | | 8 |
| Canada (stats) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | 9 | — | 10 | | | | | | 11 | | | | | 4 |
| Chile | — | — | — | | | | | — | | 17 | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | 1 |
| Cuba | | | — | — | — | | | | | | | | | | 8 | 9 | 7 | 5 | — | — | 8 | | | | | | | | | 5 |
| Mexico | | — | — | — | — | | | | | | 18 | | | | 11 | 13 | 10 | | | | | | | | | | | | | 4 |
| United States (stats) | | | | | 4 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 9 | 11 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 5 | 3 | | — | 2 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 23 |
| Uruguay | — | — | — | — | — | | | | 13 | 16 | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 |
Asia – AASF (7 teams) :
| Men's team | 00 | 04 | 08 | 12 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 36 | 48 | 52 | 56 | 60 | 64 | 68 | 72 | 76 | 80 | 84 | 88 | 00 | 04 | 08 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 24 | Years |
| China | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 11 | | | 12 | | | | | 3 |
| India | | — | — | — | | | | | | 12 | 21 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 |
| Iran | | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | | | | | | | 12 | — | — | | | | | | | | | 1 |
| Japan (stats) | — | — | — | | | | | 4 | 14 | — | | | 14 | 11 | 12 | 15 | | — | 11 | | | | | | 12 | 10 | 11 | 10 |
| Kazakhstan (stats) | — | — | — | — | — | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | 9 | 11 | | 11 | | 11 | | 4 |
| Singapore | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | | 10 | | — | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | 1 |
| South Korea | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | | | | | | | | — | | 12 | | | | | | | | 1 |
Europe – LEN (34 teams) :
| 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 | 24 | Years |
| Austria | | | | 4 | — | | | | 7 | | 13 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 3 |
| Belgium (stats) | 2 | — | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 6 | | 3 | 4 | 6 | | 16 | 7 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 11 |
| Bulgaria | — | — | — | — | — | | | — | | — | | | | | | 11 | | 12 | — | | | | | | | | | | | 2 |
| Croatia (stats) | — | — | — | — | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | | 2 | 7 | 10 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 8 |
| Czechoslovakia$^†$ | — | — | — | — | 12 | 6 | 10 | | 11 | | | | | | | | | | — | | 12 | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | | 5 |
| East Germany$^†$ | Part of Germany | Part of Germany | Part of Germany | Part of Germany | Part of Germany | Part of Germany | Part of Germany | Part of Germany | Part of Germany | Part of Germany | Part of Germany | P. of EUA | P. of EUA | P. of EUA | 6 | | | | — | | Part of Germany | Part of Germany | Part of Germany | Part of Germany | Part of Germany | Part of Germany | Part of Germany | Part of Germany | | 1 |
| France (stats) | 3 | — | | 6 | 9 | 1 | 3 | | 4 | 6 | | | 10 | | | | | | | 10 | 11 | | | | | | 11 | | 10 | 12 |
| Germany (stats) | =5 | | | | — | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | 15 | See EUA | See EUA | See EUA | See FRG and GDR | See FRG and GDR | See FRG and GDR | See FRG and GDR | See FRG and GDR | See FRG and GDR | 7 | 9 | | 5 | 10 | | | | | 9 |
| Great Britain (stats) | 1 | | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 4 | | 8 | 13 | 12 | 7 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 12 | | | | 11 |
| Greece (stats) | | | | | 8 | 13 | | | | 15 | | | | | 14 | 14 | | 10 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 6 | 10 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 17 |
| Hungary (stats) | | | | 5 | — | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | — | 5 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 24 |
| Iceland | — | — | — | | — | — | — | — | 15 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1 |
| Ireland | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 14 | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 |
| Italy (stats) | | — | | | 10 | 11 | | | | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 22 |
| Luxembourg | — | — | — | | | | 11 | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1 |
| Malta | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | 16 | | — | — | | — | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 |
| Montenegro (stats) | — | — | — | — | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | P. of FRY / SCG | P. of FRY / SCG | P. of FRY / SCG | P. of FRY / SCG | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 9 | 5 |
| Netherlands (stats) | | — | 4 | | 5 | 7 | 5 | | 5 | 3 | 5 | | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 6 | | 9 | 10 | 11 | | | | | | | 17 |
| Portugal | — | — | — | | | | | | | | 20 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1 |
| Romania (stats) | | — | — | — | — | | | — | | — | 17 | 8 | 5 | 5 | | 8 | 4 | 9 | | | | 11 | | | | 10 | | | 12 | 10 |
| Russia (stats) | — | — | — | — | — | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | | 5 | 2 | 3 | | | | | | 3 |
| Serbia (stats) | — | — | — | | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | P. of FRY / SCG | P. of FRY / SCG | P. of FRY / SCG | P. of FRY / SCG | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| Serbia and Montenegro$^†$ (stats) | — | — | — | — | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | See FRY | See FRY | See FRY | 2 | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | 1 |
| Slovakia | — | — | — | — | Part of Czechoslovakia | Part of Czechoslovakia | Part of Czechoslovakia | Part of Czechoslovakia | Part of Czechoslovakia | Part of Czechoslovakia | Part of Czechoslovakia | Part of Czechoslovakia | Part of Czechoslovakia | Part of Czechoslovakia | Part of Czechoslovakia | Part of Czechoslovakia | Part of Czechoslovakia | Part of Czechoslovakia | Part of Czechoslovakia | Part of Czechoslovakia | Part of Czechoslovakia | | 12 | | | | | | | 1 |
| Soviet Union$^†$ (stats) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 1 | — | 3 | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | 9 |
| Spain (stats) | | — | — | — | 7 | 10 | 9 | | — | 8 | 8 | — | | | 9 | 10 | | 4 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 19 |
| Sweden (stats) | | — | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | | | 6 | 5 | 11 | | | | | | | 11 | | | | | | | | | | | | 8 |
| Switzerland | | | | | 11 | 12 | 12 | | 12 | 14 | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 5 |
| Ukraine | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | | 12 | | | | | | | | 1 |
| Unified Team$^†$ (stats) | — | — | — | — | — | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | 3 | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | 1 |
| United Team of Germany$^†$ (stats) | See Germany | See Germany | See Germany | See Germany | See Germany | See Germany | See Germany | See Germany | See Germany | See Germany | See Germany | 6 | 6 | 6 | See FRG and GDR | See FRG and GDR | See FRG and GDR | See FRG and GDR | See FRG and GDR | See FRG and GDR | See Germany | See Germany | See Germany | See Germany | See Germany | See Germany | See Germany | See Germany | See Germany | 3 |
| West Germany$^†$ (stats) | Part of Germany | Part of Germany | Part of Germany | Part of Germany | Part of Germany | Part of Germany | Part of Germany | Part of Germany | Part of Germany | Part of Germany | Part of Germany | P. of EUA | P. of EUA | P. of EUA | 10 | 4 | 6 | — | 3 | 4 | Part of Germany | Part of Germany | Part of Germany | Part of Germany | Part of Germany | Part of Germany | Part of Germany | Part of Germany | Part of Germany | 5 |
| Yugoslavia$^†$ (stats) | — | — | — | — | | | | | 10 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | 12 |
| Yugoslavia$^†$ (stats) | — | — | — | — | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | — | 8 | 3 | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | 2 |
Oceania – OSA (1 team) :
| 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 | 24 | Years |
| Australia (stats) | | | — | — | | | | | | 18 | 19 | 9 | 15 | 10 | | 12 | 11 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 5 | | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 18 |
| 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 | 24 | Years |
| Total teams | 7 | | 4 | 6 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 5 | 16 | 18 | 21 | 10 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | |

### Debut of teams

Last updated: 12 February 2024.

#### Legend

* Team$^*$ – Host team
* Team$^†$ – Defunct team
| # | Year | Debuting teams | Debuting teams | Debuting teams | Debuting teams | Debuting teams | Number | Cumulative total |
| # | Year | Africa | Americas | Asia | Europe | Oceania | Number | Cumulative total |
| 1 | 1900 | – | – | – | Belgium, France$^*$, Germany, Great Britain | – | 4 | 4 |
| 2 | 1904 | Water polo was an unofficial sport | Water polo was an unofficial sport | Water polo was an unofficial sport | Water polo was an unofficial sport | Water polo was an unofficial sport | Water polo was an unofficial sport | Water polo was an unofficial sport |
| 3 | 1908 | – | – | – | Netherlands, Sweden | – | 2 | 6 |
| 4 | 1912 | – | – | – | Austria, Hungary | – | 2 | 8 |
| 5 | 1920 | – | Brazil, United States | – | Czechoslovakia$^†$, Greece, Italy, Spain, Switzerland | – | 7 | 15 |
| 6 | 1924 | – | – | – | Ireland | – | 1 | 16 |
| 7 | 1928 | – | Argentina | – | Luxembourg, Malta | – | 3 | 19 |
| 8 | 1932 | – | – | Japan | – | – | 1 | 20 |
| 9 | 1936 | – | Uruguay | – | Iceland, Yugoslavia$^†$ | – | 3 | 23 |
| 10 | 1948 | Egypt | Chile | India | – | Australia | 4 | 27 |
| 11 | 1952 | South Africa | Mexico | – | Portugal, Romania, Soviet Union$^†$ | – | 5 | 32 |
| 12 | 1956 | – | – | Singapore | United Team of Germany$^†$ | – | 2 | 34 |
| 13 | 1960 | – | – | – | – | – | 0 | 34 |
| 14 | 1964 | – | – | – | – | – | 0 | 34 |
| # | Year | Africa | Americas | Asia | Europe | Oceania | Number | Cumulative total |
| 15 | 1968 | – | Cuba | – | East Germany$^†$, West Germany$^†$ | – | 3 | 37 |
| 16 | 1972 | – | Canada | – | Bulgaria | – | 2 | 39 |
| 17 | 1976 | – | – | Iran | – | – | 1 | 40 |
| 18 | 1980 | – | – | – | – | – | 0 | 40 |
| 19 | 1984 | – | – | China | – | – | 1 | 41 |
| 20 | 1988 | – | – | South Korea$^*$ | – | – | 1 | 42 |
| 21 | 1992 | – | – | – | Unified Team$^†$ | – | 1 | 43 |
| 22 | 1996 | – | – | – | Croatia, Russia, Ukraine, Yugoslavia$^†$ | – | 4 | 47 |
| 23 | 2000 | – | – | Kazakhstan | Slovakia | – | 2 | 49 |
| 24 | 2004 | – | – | – | Serbia and Montenegro$^†$ | – | 1 | 50 |
| 25 | 2008 | – | – | – | Montenegro, Serbia | – | 2 | 52 |
| 26 | 2012 | – | – | – | – | – | 0 | 52 |
| 27 | 2016 | – | – | – | – | – | 0 | 52 |
| 28 | 2020 | – | – | – | – | – | 0 | 52 |
| 29 | 2024 | – | – | – | – | – | 0 | 52 |
| Total | Total | 2 | 8 | 7 | 34 | 1 | 52 | 52 |

### 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: 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 :
| Rk | Men's team | Apps | Record streak | Active streak | Debut | Most recent | Best finish | Confederation |
| 1 | Hungary (stats) | 23 | 13 | 9 | 1912 | 2020 | Champions | Europe – LEN |
| 2 | United States (stats) | 22 | 12 | 10 | 1920 | 2020 | Runners-up | Americas – UANA |
| 3 | Italy (stats) | 21 | 19 | 19 | 1920 | 2020 | Champions | Europe – LEN |
| 4 | Spain (stats) | 18 | 11 | 11 | 1920 | 2020 | Champions | Europe – LEN |
| 5 | Netherlands (stats) | 17 | 7 | 0 | 1908 | 2000 | Third place | Europe – LEN |
| 5 | Australia (stats) | 17 | 6 | 6 | 1948 | 2020 | Fifth place | Oceania – OSA |
| 7 | Greece (stats) | 16 | 11 | 11 | 1920 | 2020 | Runners-up | Europe – LEN |
| 8 | Yugoslavia$^†$ (stats) | 12 | 12 | 0 | 1936 | 1988 | Champions | Europe – LEN |
| 9 | Belgium (stats) | 11 | 5 | 0 | 1900 | 1964 | Runners-up | Europe – LEN |
| 9 | Great Britain (stats) | 11 | 5 | 0 | 1900 | 2012$^*$ | Champions | Europe – LEN |
| 9 | France (stats) | 11 | 4 | 0 | 1900$^*$ | 2016 | Champions | Europe – LEN |
| 12 | Soviet Union$^†$ (stats) | 9 | 8 | 0 | 1952 | 1988 | Champions | Europe – LEN |
| 12 | Germany (stats) | 9 | 3 | 0 | 1900 | 2008 | Champions | Europe – LEN |
| 12 | Romania (stats) | 9 | 4 | 0 | 1952 | 2012 | Fourth place | Europe – LEN |
| 12 | Japan (stats) | 9 | 4 | 2 | 1932 | 2020$^*$ | Fourth place | Asia – AASF |
| 16 | Sweden (stats) | 8 | 4 | 0 | 1908 | 1980 | Runners-up | Europe – LEN |
| 16 | Brazil (stats) | 8 | 3 | 0 | 1920 | 2016$^*$ | Sixth place | Americas – UANA |
| 18 | Croatia (stats) | 7 | 7 | 7 | 1996 | 2020 | Champions | Europe – LEN |
| 19 | Egypt (stats) | 6 | 3 | 0 | 1948 | 2004 | Seventh place | Africa – CANA |
| 20 | Switzerland | 5 | 3 | 0 | 1920 | 1948 | Eleventh place | Europe – LEN |
| 20 | West Germany$^†$ (stats) | 5 | 3 | 0 | 1968 | 1988 | Third place | Europe – LEN |
| 20 | Czechoslovakia$^†$ | 5 | 3 | 0 | 1920 | 1992 | Sixth place | Europe – LEN |
| 20 | Cuba | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1968 | 1992 | Fifth place | Americas – UANA |
| 24 | Argentina | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1928 | 1960 | Tenth place | Americas – UANA |
| 24 | Mexico | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1952 | 1976 | Tenth place | Americas – UANA |
| 24 | Canada (stats) | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1972 | 2008 | Ninth place | Americas – UANA |
| 24 | Kazakhstan (stats) | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2000 | 2020 | Ninth place | Asia – AASF |
| 24 | Montenegro (stats) | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2008 | 2020 | Fourth place | Europe – LEN |
| 24 | Serbia (stats) | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2008 | 2020 | Champions | Europe – LEN |
| 30 | Austria | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1912 | 1952 | Fourth place | Europe – LEN |
| 30 | United Team of Germany$^†$ (stats) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1956 | 1964 | Sixth place | Europe – LEN |
| 30 | Russia (stats) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1996 | 2004 | Runners-up | Europe – LEN |
| 30 | China | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1984 | 2008$^*$ | Ninth place | Asia – AASF |
| 30 | South Africa | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1952 | 2020 | Ninth place | Africa – CANA |
| 35 | Ireland | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1924 | 1928 | Ninth place | Europe – LEN |
| 35 | Malta | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1928 | 1936 | Eighth place | Europe – LEN |
| 35 | Uruguay | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1936 | 1948 | Thirteenth place | Americas – UANA |
| 35 | India | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1948 | 1952 | Twelfth place | Asia – AASF |
| 35 | Bulgaria | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1972 | 1980 | Eleventh place | Europe – LEN |
| 35 | Yugoslavia$^†$ (stats) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1996 | 2000 | Third place | Europe – LEN |
| 41 | Luxembourg | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1928 | 1928 | Eleventh place | Europe – LEN |
| 41 | Iceland | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1936 | 1936 | Fifteenth place | Europe – LEN |
| 41 | Chile | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1948 | 1948 | Seventeenth place | Americas – UANA |
| 41 | Portugal | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1952 | 1952 | Twentieth place | Europe – LEN |
| 41 | Singapore | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1956 | 1956 | Tenth place | Asia – AASF |
| 41 | East Germany$^†$ | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1968 | 1968 | Sixth place | Europe – LEN |
| 41 | Iran | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1976 | 1976 | Twelfth place | Asia – AASF |
| 41 | South Korea | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1988$^*$ | 1988$^*$ | Twelfth place | Asia – AASF |
| 41 | Unified Team$^†$ (stats) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1992 | 1992 | Third place | Europe – LEN |
| 41 | Ukraine | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1996 | 1996 | Twelfth place | Europe – LEN |
| 41 | Slovakia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2000 | 2000 | Twelfth place | Europe – LEN |
| 41 | Serbia and Montenegro$^†$ (stats) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2004 | 2004 | Runners-up | Europe – LEN |
| Rk | Men's team | Apps | Record streak | Active streak | Debut | Most recent | Best finish | Confederation |

### Results of host teams

Last updated: 8 August 2021.

#### Legend and abbreviation

* Year$^*$ – As host team
* Team$^†$ – Defunct team
* Finish$^‡$ – It is the best performance of the team
* Apps – Appearances
| # | Year | Host team | Finish | Best finish | Apps | Confederation |
| 1 | 1900 | France | 3rd of 7 teams | Champions (1924$^*$) | 11 | Europe – LEN |
| 2 | 1904 | Water polo was an unofficial sport | Water polo was an unofficial sport | Water polo was an unofficial sport | Water polo was an unofficial sport | Water polo was an unofficial sport |
| 3 | 1908 | Great Britain | 1st$^‡$ of 4 teams | Champions (1900, 1908$^*$, 1912, 1920) | 11 | Europe – LEN |
| 4 | 1912 | Sweden | 2nd$^‡$ of 6 teams | Runners-up (1912$^*$) | 8 | Europe – LEN |
| 5 | 1920 | Belgium | 2nd$^‡$ of 12 teams | Runners-up (1900, 1908, 1920$^*$, 1924) | 11 | Europe – LEN |
| 6 | 1924 | France | 1st$^‡$ of 13 teams | Champions (1924$^*$) | 11 | Europe – LEN |
| 7 | 1928 | Netherlands | 5th of 14 teams | Third place (1948, 1976) | 17 | Europe – LEN |
| 8 | 1932 | United States | 3rd of 5 teams | Runners-up (1984$^*$, 1988, 2008) | 22 | Americas – UANA |
| 9 | 1936 | Germany | 2nd of 16 teams | Champions (1928) | 9 | Europe – LEN |
| 10 | 1948 | Great Britain | 13th of 18 teams | Champions (1900, 1908$^*$, 1912, 1920) | 11 | Europe – LEN |
| 11 | 1952 | Finland | did not participate | — | 0 | Europe – LEN |
| 12 | 1956 | Australia | 9th of 10 teams | Fifth place (1984, 1992) | 17 | Oceania – OSA |
| 13 | 1960 | Italy | 1st$^‡$ of 16 teams | Champions (1948, 1960$^*$, 1992) | 21 | Europe – LEN |
| 14 | 1964 | Japan | 11th of 13 teams | Fourth place (1932) | 9 | Asia – AASF |
| # | Year | Host team | Finish | Best finish | Apps | Confederation |
| 15 | 1968 | Mexico | 11th of 15 teams | Tenth place (1976) | 4 | Americas – UANA |
| 16 | 1972 | West Germany$^†$ | 4th of 16 teams | Third place (1984) | 5 | Europe – LEN |
| 17 | 1976 | Canada | 9th$^‡$ of 12 teams | Ninth place (1976$^*$) | 4 | Americas – UANA |
| 18 | 1980 | Soviet Union$^†$ | 1st$^‡$ of 12 teams | Champions (1972, 1980$^*$) | 9 | Europe – LEN |
| 19 | 1984 | United States | 2nd$^‡$ of 12 teams | Runners-up (1984$^*$, 1988, 2008) | 22 | Americas – UANA |
| 20 | 1988 | South Korea | 12th$^‡$ of 12 teams | Twelfth place (1988$^*$) | 1 | Asia – AASF |
| 21 | 1992 | Spain | 2nd of 12 teams | Champions (1996) | 18 | Europe – LEN |
| 22 | 1996 | United States | 7th of 12 teams | Runners-up (1984$^*$, 1988, 2008) | 22 | Americas – UANA |
| 23 | 2000 | Australia | 8th of 12 teams | Fifth place (1984, 1992) | 17 | Oceania – OSA |
| 24 | 2004 | Greece | 4th of 12 teams | Runners-up (2020) | 16 | Europe – LEN |
| 25 | 2008 | China | 12th of 12 teams | Ninth place (1984) | 3 | Asia – AASF |
| 26 | 2012 | Great Britain | 12th of 12 teams | Champions (1900, 1908$^*$, 1912, 1920) | 11 | Europe – LEN |
| 27 | 2016 | Brazil | 8th of 12 teams | Sixth place (1920) | 8 | Americas – UANA |
| 28 | 2020 | Japan | 10th of 12 teams | Fourth place (1932) | 9 | Asia – AASF |
| # | Year | Host team | Finish | Best finish | Apps | Confederation |

### Results of defending champions and runners-up

Last updated: 8 August 2021.

#### Legend

* Team$^*$ – Host team
* Team$^†$ – Defunct team
| # | Year | Defending champions | Finish | Defending runners-up | Finish |
| 1 | 1900 | | | | |
| 2 | 1904 | Water polo was an unofficial sport | Water polo was an unofficial sport | Water polo was an unofficial sport | Water polo was an unofficial sport |
| 3 | 1908 | | | | |
| 4 | 1912 | Great Britain | 1st of 6 teams | Belgium | 3rd of 6 teams |
| 5 | 1920 | Great Britain | 1st of 12 teams | Sweden | 3rd of 12 teams |
| 6 | 1924 | Great Britain | 8th of 13 teams | Belgium | 2nd of 13 teams |
| 7 | 1928 | France | 3rd of 14 teams | Belgium | 6th of 14 teams |
| 8 | 1932 | Germany | 2nd of 5 teams | Hungary | 1st of 5 teams |
| 9 | 1936 | Hungary | 1st of 16 teams | Germany$^*$ | 2nd of 16 teams |
| 10 | 1948 | Hungary | 2nd of 18 teams | Germany | did not participate |
| 11 | 1952 | Italy | 3rd of 21 teams | Hungary | 1st of 21 teams |
| 12 | 1956 | Hungary | 1st of 10 teams | Yugoslavia$^†$ | 2nd of 10 teams |
| 13 | 1960 | Hungary | 3rd of 16 teams | Yugoslavia$^†$ | 4th of 16 teams |
| 14 | 1964 | Italy | 4th of 13 teams | Soviet Union$^†$ | 3rd of 13 teams |
| # | Year | Defending champions | Finish | Defending runners-up | Finish |
| 15 | 1968 | Hungary | 3rd of 15 teams | Yugoslavia$^†$ | 1st of 15 teams |
| 16 | 1972 | Yugoslavia$^†$ | 5th of 16 teams | Soviet Union$^†$ | 1st of 16 teams |
| 17 | 1976 | Soviet Union$^†$ | 8th of 12 teams | Hungary | 1st of 12 teams |
| 18 | 1980 | Hungary | 3rd of 12 teams | Italy | 8th of 12 teams |
| 19 | 1984 | Soviet Union$^†$ | Qualified but withdrew | Yugoslavia$^†$ | 1st of 12 teams |
| 20 | 1988 | Yugoslavia$^†$ | 1st of 12 teams | United States | 2nd of 12 teams |
| 21 | 1992 | Yugoslavia$^†$ | Defunct | United States | 4th of 12 teams |
| 22 | 1996 | Italy | 3rd of 12 teams | Spain | 1st of 12 teams |
| 23 | 2000 | Spain | 4th of 12 teams | Croatia | 7th of 12 teams |
| 24 | 2004 | Hungary | 1st of 12 teams | Russia | 3rd of 12 teams |
| 25 | 2008 | Hungary | 1st of 12 teams | Serbia and Montenegro$^†$ | Defunct |
| 26 | 2012 | Hungary | 5th of 12 teams | United States | 8th of 12 teams |
| 27 | 2016 | Croatia | 2nd of 12 teams | Italy | 3rd of 12 teams |
| 28 | 2020 | Serbia | 1st of 12 teams | Croatia | 5th of 12 teams |
| # | Year | Defending champions | Finish | Defending runners-up | Finish |

### 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: 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 :
| Rk | Men's team | Best finish | Apps | Confederation |
| 1 | Hungary (stats) | Champions (1932, 1936, 1952, 1956, 1964, 1976, 2000, 2004, 2008) | 23 | Europe – LEN |
| 2 | Great Britain (stats) | Champions (1900, 1908$^*$, 1912, 1920) | 11 | Europe – LEN |
| 3 | Italy (stats) | Champions (1948, 1960$^*$, 1992) | 21 | Europe – LEN |
| 3 | Yugoslavia$^†$ (stats) | Champions (1968, 1984, 1988) | 12 | Europe – LEN |
| 5 | Serbia (stats) | Champions (2016, 2020) | 4 | Europe – LEN |
| 5 | Soviet Union$^†$ (stats) | Champions (1972, 1980$^*$) | 9 | Europe – LEN |
| 7 | Croatia (stats) | Champions (2012) | 7 | Europe – LEN |
| 7 | France (stats) | Champions (1924$^*$) | 11 | Europe – LEN |
| 7 | Germany (stats) | Champions (1928) | 9 | Europe – LEN |
| 7 | Spain (stats) | Champions (1996) | 18 | Europe – LEN |
| 11 | Belgium (stats) | Runners-up (1900, 1908, 1920$^*$, 1924) | 11 | Europe – LEN |
| 12 | United States (stats) | Runners-up (1984$^*$, 1988, 2008) | 22 | Americas – UANA |
| 13 | Greece (stats) | Runners-up (2020) | 16 | Europe – LEN |
| 13 | Russia (stats) | Runners-up (2000) | 3 | Europe – LEN |
| 13 | Serbia and Montenegro$^†$ (stats) | Runners-up (2004) | 1 | Europe – LEN |
| 13 | Sweden (stats) | Runners-up (1912$^*$) | 8 | Europe – LEN |
| 17 | Netherlands (stats) | Third place (1948, 1976) | 17 | Europe – LEN |
| 18 | Unified Team$^†$ (stats) | Third place (1992) | 1 | Europe – LEN |
| 18 | West Germany$^†$ (stats) | Third place (1984) | 5 | Europe – LEN |
| 18 | Yugoslavia$^†$ (stats) | Third place (2000) | 2 | Europe – LEN |
| 21 | Montenegro (stats) | Fourth place (2008, 2012, 2016) | 4 | Europe – LEN |
| 22 | Austria | Fourth place (1912) | 3 | Europe – LEN |
| 22 | Japan (stats) | Fourth place (1932) | 9 | Asia – AASF |
| 22 | Romania (stats) | Fourth place (1976) | 9 | Europe – LEN |
| 25 | Australia (stats) | Fifth place (1984, 1992) | 17 | Oceania – OSA |
| 26 | Cuba | Fifth place (1980) | 5 | Americas – UANA |
| 27 | United Team of Germany$^†$ (stats) | Sixth place (1956, 1960, 1964) | 3 | Europe – LEN |
| 28 | Brazil (stats) | Sixth place (1920) | 8 | Americas – UANA |
| 28 | Czechoslovakia$^†$ | Sixth place (1924) | 5 | Europe – LEN |
| 28 | East Germany$^†$ | Sixth place (1968) | 1 | Europe – LEN |
| 31 | Egypt (stats) | Seventh place (1948) | 6 | Africa – CANA |
| 32 | Malta | Eighth place (1928) | 2 | Europe – LEN |
| 33 | Canada (stats) | Ninth place (1976$^*$) | 4 | Americas – UANA |
| 33 | China | Ninth place (1984) | 3 | Asia – AASF |
| 33 | Ireland | Ninth place (1924) | 2 | Europe – LEN |
| 33 | Kazakhstan (stats) | Ninth place (2000) | 4 | Asia – AASF |
| 33 | South Africa | Ninth place (1960) | 3 | Africa – CANA |
| 38 | Argentina | Tenth place (1948) | 4 | Americas – UANA |
| 38 | Mexico | Tenth place (1976) | 4 | Americas – UANA |
| 38 | Singapore | Tenth place (1956) | 1 | Asia – AASF |
| 41 | Bulgaria | Eleventh place (1972) | 2 | Europe – LEN |
| 41 | Luxembourg | Eleventh place (1928) | 1 | Europe – LEN |
| 41 | Switzerland | Eleventh place (1920) | 5 | Europe – LEN |
| 44 | India | Twelfth place (1948) | 2 | Asia – AASF |
| 44 | Iran | Twelfth place (1976) | 1 | Asia – AASF |
| 44 | Slovakia | Twelfth place (2000) | 1 | Europe – LEN |
| 44 | South Korea | Twelfth place (1988$^*$) | 1 | Asia – AASF |
| 44 | Ukraine | Twelfth place (1996) | 1 | Europe – LEN |
| 49 | Uruguay | Thirteenth place (1936) | 2 | Americas – UANA |
| 50 | Iceland | Fifteenth place (1936) | 1 | Europe – LEN |
| 51 | Chile | Seventeenth place (1948) | 1 | Americas – UANA |
| 52 | Portugal | Twentieth place (1952) | 1 | Europe – LEN |
| Rk | Men's team | Best finish | Apps | Confederation |

### 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: 8 August 2021.
Legend
* Year$^*$ – As host team
* Team$^†$ – Defunct team
| Rk | Men's team | Total | Champions | Runners-up | Third place | Fourth place | First | Last |
| 1 | Hungary | 17 | 9 (1932, 1936, 1952, 1956, 1964, 1976, 2000, 2004, 2008) | 3 (1928, 1948, 1972) | 4 (1960, 1968, 1980, 2020) | 2 (1996, 2024) | 1928 | 2024 |
| 2 | Italy | 11 | 3 (1948, 1960$^*$, 1992) | 2 (1976, 2012) | 3 (1952, 1996, 2016) | 3 (1956, 1964, 1968) | 1948 | 2016 |
| 3 | United States | 10 | | 3 (1984$^*$, 1988, 2008) | 4 (1924, 1932$^*$, 1972, 2024) | 3 (1920, 1952, 1992) | 1920 | 2024 |
| 4 | Yugoslavia$^†$ | 8 | 3 (1968, 1984, 1988) | 4 (1952, 1956, 1964, 1980) | | 1 (1960) | 1952 | 1988 |
| 5 | Soviet Union$^†$ | 7 | 2 (1972, 1980$^*$) | 2 (1960, 1968) | 3 (1956, 1964, 1988) | | 1956 | 1988 |
| 6 | Belgium | 7 | | 4 (1900, 1908, 1920$^*$, 1924) | 2 (1912, 1936) | 1 (1948) | 1900 | 1948 |
| 7 | Spain | 6 | 1 (1996) | 1 (1992$^*$) | | 4 (1980, 1984, 2000, 2020) | 1980 | 2020 |
| 8 | Great Britain | 5 | 4 (1900, 1908$^*$, 1912, 1920) | | | 1 (1928) | 1900 | 1928 |
| 9 | France | 5 | 1 (1924$^*$) | | 3 (1900$^*$×2, 1928) | 1 (1936) | 1900 | 1936 |
| 10 | Serbia | 5 | 3 (2016, 2020, 2024) | | 2 (2008, 2012) | | 2008 | 2024 |
| 11 | Croatia | 4 | 1 (2012) | 3 (1996, 2016, 2024) | | | 1996 | 2024 |
| 12 | Sweden | 4 | | 1 (1912$^*$) | 2 (1908, 1920) | 1 (1924) | 1908 | 1924 |
| 13 | Germany | 3 | 1 (1928) | 2 (1932, 1936$^*$) | | | 1928 | 1936 |
| 14 | Netherlands | 3 | | | 2 (1948, 1976) | 1 (1908) | 1908 | 1976 |
| 15 | West Germany$^†$ | 3 | | | 1 (1984) | 2 (1972$^*$, 1988) | 1972 | 1988 |
| 16 | Montenegro | 3 | | | | 3 (2008, 2012, 2016) | 2008 | 2016 |
| 17 | Russia | 2 | | 1 (2000) | 1 (2004) | | 2000 | 2004 |
| 18 | Greece | 2 | | 1 (2020) | | 1 (2004$^*$) | 2004 | 2020 |
| 19 | Serbia and Montenegro$^†$ | 1 | | 1 (2004) | | | 2004 | 2004 |
| 20 | Yugoslavia$^†$ | 1 | | | 1 (2000) | | 2000 | 2000 |
| 20 | Unified Team$^†$ | 1 | | | 1 (1992) | | 1992 | 1992 |
| 22 | Austria | 1 | | | | 1 (1912) | 1912 | 1912 |
| 22 | Japan | 1 | | | | 1 (1932) | 1932 | 1932 |
| 22 | Romania | 1 | | | | 1 (1976) | 1976 | 1976 |
| Rk | Men's team | Total | Champions | Runners-up | Third place | Fourth place | First | Last |

### 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: 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.

#### Legend

* Team$^†$ – Defunct team
| Rank | Men's team | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
| 1 | Hungary (HUN) | 9 | 3 | 4 | 16 |
| 2 | Yugoslavia (YUG)$^†$ | 3 | 4 | 0 | 7 |
| 3 | Italy (ITA) | 3 | 2 | 3 | 8 |
| 4 | Serbia (SRB) | 3 | 0 | 2 | 5 |
| 5 | Great Britain (GBR) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 6 | Soviet Union (URS)$^†$ | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7 |
| 7 | United States (USA) | 1 | 4 | 5 | 10 |
| 8 | Croatia (CRO) | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| 9 | Germany (GER) | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 10 | Spain (ESP) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 11 | France (FRA) | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| 12 | Mixed team (ZZX)$^†$ | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 13 | Belgium (BEL) | 0 | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| 14 | Sweden (SWE) | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 15 | Russia (RUS) | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 15 | Serbia and Montenegro (SCG)$^†$ | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 17 | Greece (GRE) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 18 | Netherlands (NED) | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 19 | Unified Team (EUN)$^†$ | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 19 | West Germany (FRG)$^†$ | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Totals (20 entries) | Totals (20 entries) | 29 | 29 | 30 | 88 |

### 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: 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 :
| Rk | Men's team | Last appearance | Olympics missed | Best finish | Confederation |
| 1 | Ireland | 1928 | 21 | Ninth place | Europe – LEN |
| 1 | Luxembourg | 1928 | 21 | Eleventh place | Europe – LEN |
| 3 | Iceland | 1936 | 19 | Fifteenth place | Europe – LEN |
| 3 | Malta | 1936 | 19 | Eighth place | Europe – LEN |
| 5 | Chile | 1948 | 18 | Seventeenth place | Americas – UANA |
| 5 | Switzerland | 1948 | 18 | Eleventh place | Europe – LEN |
| 5 | Uruguay | 1948 | 18 | Thirteenth place | Americas – UANA |
| 8 | Austria | 1952 | 17 | Fourth place | Europe – LEN |
| 8 | India | 1952 | 17 | Twelfth place | Asia – AASF |
| 8 | Portugal | 1952 | 17 | Twentieth place | Europe – LEN |
| 11 | Singapore | 1956 | 16 | Tenth place | Asia – AASF |
| 12 | Argentina | 1960 | 15 | Tenth place | Americas – UANA |
| 13 | Belgium | 1964 | 14 | Runners-up | Europe – LEN |
| 14 | Iran | 1976 | 11 | Twelfth place | Asia – AASF |
| 14 | Mexico | 1976 | 11 | Tenth place | Americas – UANA |
| 16 | Bulgaria | 1980 | 10 | Eleventh place | Europe – LEN |
| 16 | Sweden | 1980 | 10 | Runners-up | Europe – LEN |
| 18 | South Korea | 1988$^*$ | 8 | Twelfth place | Asia – AASF |
| 19 | Cuba | 1992 | 7 | Fifth place | Americas – UANA |
| 20 | Ukraine | 1996 | 6 | Twelfth place | Europe – LEN |
| 21 | Netherlands | 2000 | 5 | Third place | Europe – LEN |
| 21 | Slovakia | 2000 | 5 | Twelfth place | Europe – LEN |
| 23 | Egypt | 2004 | 4 | Seventh place | Africa – CANA |
| 23 | Russia | 2004 | 4 | Runners-up | Europe – LEN |
| 25 | Canada | 2008 | 3 | Ninth place | Americas – UANA |
| 25 | China | 2008$^*$ | 3 | Ninth place | Asia – AASF |
| 25 | Germany | 2008 | 3 | Champions | Europe – LEN |
| 28 | Great Britain | 2012$^*$ | 2 | Champions | Europe – LEN |
| 28 | Romania | 2012 | 2 | Fourth place | Europe – LEN |
| 30 | Brazil | 2016$^*$ | 1 | Sixth place | Americas – UANA |
| 30 | France | 2016 | 1 | Champions | Europe – LEN |
| 32 | Australia | 2020 | 0 | Fifth place | Oceania – OSA |
| 32 | Croatia | 2020 | 0 | Champions | Europe – LEN |
| 32 | Greece | 2020 | 0 | Runners-up | Europe – LEN |
| 32 | Hungary | 2020 | 0 | Champions | Europe – LEN |
| 32 | Italy | 2020 | 0 | Champions | Europe – LEN |
| 32 | Japan | 2020$^*$ | 0 | Fourth place | Asia – AASF |
| 32 | Kazakhstan | 2020 | 0 | Ninth place | Asia – AASF |
| 32 | Montenegro | 2020 | 0 | Fourth place | Europe – LEN |
| 32 | Serbia | 2020 | 0 | Champions | Europe – LEN |
| 32 | South Africa | 2020 | 0 | Ninth place | Africa – CANA |
| 32 | Spain | 2020 | 0 | Champions | Europe – LEN |
| 32 | United States | 2020 | 0 | Runners-up | Americas – UANA |
| Rk | Men's team | Last appearance | Olympics missed | Best finish | Confederation |

### Longest appearance droughts overall

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 :
| Rk | Men's team | Prev. appearance | Next appearance | Olympics missed | Best finish | Confederation |
| 1 | Ireland | 1928 | active | 21 | Ninth place | Europe – LEN |
| 1 | Luxembourg | 1928 | active | 21 | Eleventh place | Europe – LEN |
| 3 | Iceland | 1936 | active | 19 | Fifteenth place | Europe – LEN |
| 3 | Malta | 1936 | active | 19 | Eighth place | Europe – LEN |
| 5 | Chile | 1948 | active | 18 | Seventeenth place | Americas – UANA |
| 5 | Switzerland | 1948 | active | 18 | Eleventh place | Europe – LEN |
| 5 | Uruguay | 1948 | active | 18 | Thirteenth place | Americas – UANA |
| 8 | Austria | 1952 | active | 17 | Fourth place | Europe – LEN |
| 8 | India | 1952 | active | 17 | Twelfth place | Asia – AASF |
| 8 | Portugal | 1952 | active | 17 | Twentieth place | Europe – LEN |
| 11 | Singapore | 1956 | active | 16 | Tenth place | Asia – AASF |
| 12 | Argentina | 1960 | active | 15 | Tenth place | Americas – UANA |
| 13 | South Africa | 1960 | 2020 | 14 | Ninth place | Africa – CANA |
| 13 | Belgium | 1964 | active | 14 | Runners-up | Europe – LEN |
| 15 | Great Britain | 1956 | 2012$^*$ | 13 | Champions | Europe – LEN |
| 16 | Czechoslovakia$^†$ | 1936 | 1992 | 11 | Sixth place | Europe – LEN |
| 16 | Iran | 1976 | active | 11 | Twelfth place | Asia – AASF |
| 16 | Mexico | 1976 | active | 11 | Tenth place | Americas – UANA |
| 19 | Bulgaria | 1980 | active | 10 | Eleventh place | Europe – LEN |
| 19 | Sweden | 1980 | active | 10 | Runners-up | Europe – LEN |
| 21 | Germany | 1952 | 1992 | 9 | Champions | Europe – LEN |
| 22 | Egypt | 1968 | 2004 | 8 | Seventh place | Africa – CANA |
| 22 | South Korea | 1988$^*$ | active | 8 | Twelfth place | Asia – AASF |
| 24 | Brazil | 1984 | 2016$^*$ | 7 | Sixth place | Americas – UANA |
| 24 | Japan | 1984 | 2016 | 7 | Fourth place | Asia – AASF |
| 24 | Cuba | 1992 | active | 7 | Fifth place | Americas – UANA |
| 27 | France | 1960 | 1988 | 6 | Champions | Europe – LEN |
| 27 | Ukraine | 1996 | active | 6 | Twelfth place | Europe – LEN |
| 29 | Canada | 1984 | 2008 | 5 | Ninth place | Americas – UANA |
| 29 | Netherlands | 2000 | active | 5 | Third place | Europe – LEN |
| 29 | Slovakia | 2000 | active | 5 | Twelfth place | Europe – LEN |
| 32 | Greece | 1948 | 1968 | 4 | Runners-up | Europe – LEN |
| 32 | China | 1988 | 2008$^*$ | 4 | Ninth place | Asia – AASF |
| 32 | Russia | 2004 | active | 4 | Runners-up | Europe – LEN |
| 35 | Italy | 1924 | 1948 | 3 | Champions | Europe – LEN |
| 35 | Spain | 1952 | 1968 | 3 | Champions | Europe – LEN |
| 35 | Romania | 1980 | 1996 | 3 | Fourth place | Europe – LEN |
| 35 | Romania | 1996 | 2012 | 3 | Fourth place | Europe – LEN |
| 38 | United States | 1972 | 1984$^*$ | 2 | Runners-up | Americas – UANA |
| 39 | Hungary | 1912 | 1924 | 1 | Champions | Europe – LEN |
| 39 | Hungary | 1980 | 1988 | 1 | Champions | Europe – LEN |
| 39 | Australia | 1964 | 1972 | 1 | Fifth place | Oceania – OSA |
| 39 | Australia | 1992 | 2000$^*$ | 1 | Fifth place | Oceania – OSA |
| 39 | West Germany$^†$ | 1976 | 1984 | 1 | Third place | Europe – LEN |
| 39 | Soviet Union$^†$ | 1980$^*$ | 1988 | 1 | Champions | Europe – LEN |
| 39 | Kazakhstan | 2004 | 2012 | 1 | Ninth place | Asia – AASF |
| 39 | Kazakhstan | 2012 | 2020 | 1 | Ninth place | Asia – AASF |
| 44 | United Team of Germany$^†$ | 1964 | defunct | 0 | Sixth place | Europe – LEN |
| 44 | East Germany$^†$ | 1968 | defunct | 0 | Sixth place | Europe – LEN |
| 44 | Yugoslavia$^†$ | 1988 | defunct | 0 | Champions | Europe – LEN |
| 44 | Unified Team$^†$ | 1992 | defunct | 0 | Third place | Europe – LEN |
| 44 | Yugoslavia$^†$ | 2000 | defunct | 0 | Third place | Europe – LEN |
| 44 | Serbia and Montenegro$^†$ | 2004 | defunct | 0 | Runners-up | Europe – LEN |
| 44 | Croatia | 2020 | active | 0 | Champions | Europe – LEN |
| 44 | Montenegro | 2020 | active | 0 | Fourth place | Europe – LEN |
| 44 | Serbia | 2020 | active | 0 | Champions | Europe – LEN |
| Rk | Men's team | Prev. appearance | Next appearance | Olympics missed | Best finish | Confederation |

### Team records

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
##### 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$^†$ (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$^†$ (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$^†$ (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
##### 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$^†$ (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
##### Most consecutive titles won

    3, Great Britain (1908$^*$–1912–1920), Hungary (2000–2004–2008).

##### 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
##### 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
##### 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
##### 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
##### 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
##### 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
##### 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$^†$ (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
### Number of teams by confederation

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 | 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 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 |
| Americas – UANA | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Asia – AASF | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Europe – LEN | 7 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 2 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7 |
| Oceania – OSA | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total teams | 7 | 4 | 6 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 5 | 16 | 18 | 21 | 10 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |

### Best performances by tournament

This is a summary of the best performances of each confederation in each tournament. 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 | 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 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7th | 10th | — | 9th | 12th | 15th | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12th | — | — | — | 12th | — |
| Americas – UANA | — | — | — | 4th | 3rd | 7th | 3rd | 9th | 10th | 4th | 5th | 7th | 9th | 5th | 3rd | 7th | 5th | 2nd | 2nd | 4th | 7th | 6th | 7th | 2nd | 8th | 10th | 6th | 3rd |
| Asia – AASF | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4th | 14th | 12th | 21st | 10th | 14th | 11th | 12th | 15th | 12th | — | 9th | 11th | — | — | 9th | 11th | 12th | 11th | 12th | 10th | 11th |
| Europe – LEN | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st |
| Oceania – OSA | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 18th | 19th | 9th | 15th | 10th | — | 12th | 11th | 7th | 5th | 8th | 5th | — | 8th | 9th | 8th | 7th | 9th | 9th | 8th |
| Total teams | 7 | 4 | 6 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 5 | 16 | 18 | 21 | 10 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |

### All-time best performances

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

#### Legend

* Year$^*$ – As host team
* Team$^†$ – Defunct team
| Confederation | Best performance | Men'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) |