# National team appearances in the women's Olympic water polo tournament

This article presents the national team appearances in the women's Olympic water polo tournament since the inaugural official edition in 2000.
As of 2016, Thirteen women's national water polo teams from five continents have competed at the Summer Olympics. Four teams have won all five tournaments. The inaugural winners in 2000 were Australia; the current champions are United States. The most successful team is currently United States women's team, who has won the Olympic title on two 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.

#### Legend

* 1st – Champions
* 2nd – Runners-up
* 3rd – Third place
* 4th – Fourth place
* Q – Qualified for forthcoming tournament
* – Hosts

#### Abbreviation

* stats – Olympic water polo team statistics
Africa – CANA (1 team) :
| Women's team | 2000 | 2004 | 2008 | 2012 | 2016 | 2020 | 2024 | Years |
| South Africa | | | | | | 10th | WD | 1 |
| Americas – UANA (3 teams) |||||||||
| Women's team | 2000 | 2004 | 2008 | 2012 | 2016 | 2020 | 2024 | Years |
| Brazil | | | | | 8th | | | 1 |
| Canada (stats) | 5th | 7th | | | | 7th | 8th | 4 |
| United States (stats) | 2nd | 3rd | 2nd | 1st | 1st | 1st | 4th | 7 |
| Asia – AASF (3 teams) |||||||||
| Women's team | 2000 | 2004 | 2008 | 2012 | 2016 | 2020 | 2024 | Years |
| China (stats) | | | 5th | 5th | 7th | 8th | 10th | 5 |
| Japan | | | | | | 9th | | 1 |
| Kazakhstan | 6th | 8th | | | | | | 2 |
| Europe – LEN (9 teams) |||||||||
| Women's team | 2000 | 2004 | 2008 | 2012 | 2016 | 2020 | 2024 | Years |
| France | | | | | | | 9th | 1 |
| Great Britain | | | | 8th | | | | 1 |
| Greece (stats) | | 2nd | 8th | | | | 7th | 3 |
| Hungary (stats) | | 6th | 4th | 4th | 4th | 3rd | 5th | 6 |
| Italy (stats) | | 1st | 6th | 7th | 2nd | | 6th | 5 |
| Netherlands (stats) | 4th | | 1st | | | 6th | 3rd | 4 |
| ROC (stats) | | | | | | 4th | | 1 |
| Russia (stats) | 3rd | 5th | 7th | 6th | 3rd | | | 5 |
| Spain (stats) | | | | 2nd | 5th | 2nd | 1st | 4 |
| Oceania – OSA (1 team) |||||||||
| Women's team | 2000 | 2004 | 2008 | 2012 | 2016 | 2020 | 2024 | Years |
| Australia (stats) | 1st | 4th | 3rd | 3rd | 6th | 5th | 2nd | 7 |
| Total teams | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | |

### Debut of teams

Last updated: 7 January 2024.

#### Legend

* Team$^*$ – Host 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 | 2000 | – | Canada, United States | Kazakhstan | Netherlands, Russia | Australia$^*$ | 6 | 6 |
| 2 | 2004 | – | – | – | Greece$^*$, Hungary, Italy | – | 3 | 9 |
| 3 | 2008 | – | – | China$^*$ | – | – | 1 | 10 |
| 4 | 2012 | – | – | – | Great Britain$^*$, Spain | – | 2 | 12 |
| 5 | 2016 | – | Brazil$^*$ | – | – | – | 1 | 13 |
| 6 | 2020 | South Africa | – | Japan$^*$ | – | – | 2 | 15 |
| 7 | 2024 | – | – | – | France$^*$ | – | 1 | 16 |
| Total | Total | 1 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 16 | 16 |

### 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: 7 August 2021.

#### Legend and abbreviation

* Year$^*$ – As host team
* Apps – Appearances
* stats – Olympic water polo team statistics
Number of appearances by team :
| Rk | Women's team | Apps | Record streak | Active streak | Debut | Most recent | Best finish | Confederation |
| 1 | Australia (stats) | 6 | 6 | 6 | 2000$^*$ | 2020 | Champions | Oceania – OSA |
| 1 | Russia (stats) | 6 | 6 | 6 | 2000 | 2020 | Third place | Europe – LEN |
| 1 | United States (stats) | 6 | 6 | 6 | 2000 | 2020 | Champions | Americas – UANA |
| 4 | Hungary (stats) | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2004 | 2020 | Fourth place | Europe – LEN |
| 5 | Italy (stats) | 4 | 4 | 0 | 2004 | 2016 | Champions | Europe – LEN |
| 5 | China (stats) | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2008$^*$ | 2020 | Fifth place | Asia – AASF |
| 7 | Canada (stats) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2000 | 2020 | Fifth place | Americas – UANA |
| 7 | Netherlands (stats) | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2000 | 2020 | Champions | Europe – LEN |
| 7 | Spain (stats) | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2012 | 2020 | Runners-up | Europe – LEN |
| 10 | Kazakhstan | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2000 | 2004 | Sixth place | Asia – AASF |
| 10 | Greece (stats) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2004$^*$ | 2008 | Runners-up | Europe – LEN |
| 12 | Great Britain | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2012$^*$ | 2012$^*$ | Eighth place | Europe – LEN |
| 12 | Brazil | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2016$^*$ | 2016$^*$ | Eighth place | Americas – UANA |
| 12 | Japan | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2020$^*$ | 2020$^*$ | Ninth place | Asia – AASF |
| 12 | South Africa | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2020 | 2020 | Tenth place | Africa – CANA |
| Rk | Women's team | Apps | Record streak | Active streak | Debut | Most recent | Best finish | Confederation |

### Results of host teams

Last updated: 7 August 2021.

#### Legend and abbreviation

* Year$^*$ – As host team
* Finish$^‡$ – It is the best performance of the team
* Apps – Appearances
| # | Year | Host team | Finish | Best finish | Apps | Confederation |
| 1 | 2000 | Australia | 1st$^‡$ of 6 teams | Champions (2000$^*$) | 5 | Oceania – OSA |
| 2 | 2004 | Greece | 2nd$^‡$ of 8 teams | Runners-up (2004$^*$) | 2 | Europe – LEN |
| 3 | 2008 | China | 5th$^‡$ of 8 teams | Fifth place (2008$^*$, 2012) | 3 | Asia – AASF |
| 4 | 2012 | Great Britain | 8th$^‡$ of 8 teams | Eighth place (2012$^*$) | 1 | Europe – LEN |
| 5 | 2016 | Brazil | 8th$^‡$ of 8 teams | Eighth place (2016$^*$) | 1 | Americas – UANA |
| 6 | 2020 | Japan | 9th$^‡$ of 10 teams | Ninth place (2020$^*$) | 1 | Asia – AASF |

### Results of defending champions and runners-up

Last updated: 7 August 2021.

#### Legend

* Team$^*$ – Host team
| # | Year | Defending champions | Finish | Defending runners-up | Finish |
| 1 | 2000 | | | | |
| 2 | 2004 | Australia | 4th of 8 teams | United States | 3rd of 8 teams |
| 3 | 2008 | Italy | 6th of 8 teams | Greece | 8th of 8 teams |
| 4 | 2012 | Netherlands | did not qualify | United States | 1st of 8 teams |
| 5 | 2016 | United States | 1st of 8 teams | Spain | 5th of 8 teams |
| 6 | 2020 | United States | 1st of 10 teams | Italy | did not qualify |

### 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: 7 August 2021.

#### Legend and abbreviation

* Year$^*$ – As host team
* Apps – Appearances
* stats – Olympic water polo team statistics
Best finishes by team :
| Rk | Women's team | Best finish | Apps | Confederation |
| 1 | United States (stats) | Champions (2002, 2006) | 6 | Americas – UANA |
| 2 | Australia (stats) | Champions (2000$^*$) | 6 | Oceania – OSA |
| 2 | Italy (stats) | Champions (2004) | 4 | Europe – LEN |
| 2 | Netherlands (stats) | Champions (2008) | 3 | Europe – LEN |
| 5 | Greece (stats) | Runners-up (2004$^*$) | 2 | Europe – LEN |
| 5 | Spain (stats) | Runners-up (2012) | 3 | Europe – LEN |
| 7 | Russia (stats) | Third place (2000, 2016) | 6 | Europe – LEN |
| 8 | Hungary (stats) | Fourth place (2008, 2012, 2016) | 5 | Europe – LEN |
| 9 | China (stats) | Fifth place (2008$^*$, 2012) | 4 | Asia – AASF |
| 10 | Canada (stats) | Fifth place (2000) | 3 | Americas – UANA |
| 11 | Kazakhstan | Sixth place (2000) | 2 | Asia – AASF |
| 12 | Brazil | Eighth place (2016$^*$) | 1 | Americas – UANA |
| 12 | Great Britain | Eighth place (2012$^*$) | 1 | Europe – LEN |
| 14 | Japan | Ninth place (2020$^*$) | 1 | Asia – AASF |
| 15 | South Africa | Tenth place (2020) | 1 | Africa – CANA |
| Rk | Women'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: 7 August 2021.

#### Legend

* Year$^*$ – As host team
| Rk | Women's team | Total | Champions | Runners-up | Third place | Fourth place | First | Last |
| 1 | United States | 6 | 3 (2012, 2016, 2020) | 2 (2000, 2008) | 1 (2004) | | 2000 | 2020 |
| 2 | Australia | 4 | 1 (2000$^*$) | | 2 (2008, 2012) | 1 (2004) | 2000 | 2012 |
| 3 | Hungary | 4 | | | 1 (2020) | 3 (2008, 2012, 2016) | 2008 | 2020 |
| 4 | Italy | 2 | 1 (2004) | 1 (2016) | | | 2004 | 2016 |
| 5 | Netherlands | 2 | 1 (2008) | | | 1 (2000) | 2000 | 2008 |
| 6 | Spain | 2 | | 2 (2012, 2020) | | | 2012 | 2020 |
| 7 | Russia | 2 | | | 2 (2000, 2016) | | 2000 | 2016 |
| 8 | Greece | 1 | | 1 (2004$^*$) | | | 2004 | 2004 |
| 9 | ROC | 1 | | | | 1 (2020) | 2020 | 2020 |
| Rk | Women'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: 7 August 2021.
The United States is the most successful country in the women's Olympic water polo tournament, with three gold, two silver and one bronze.
| Rank | Women's team | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
| 1 | United States (USA) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
| 2 | Spain (ESP) | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 3 | Australia (AUS) | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| 4 | Italy (ITA) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 5 | Netherlands (NED) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 6 | Greece (GRE) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 7 | Russia (RUS) | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 8 | Hungary (HUN) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Totals (8 entries) | Totals (8 entries) | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 |

### 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: 7 August 2021.
Notes:
* Does not include teams that have not yet made their first appearance at the Olympics or teams that no longer exist.

#### Legend

* Year$^*$ – As host team
Longest active appearance droughts :
| Rk | Women's team | Last appearance | Olympics missed | Best finish | Confederation |
| 1 | Kazakhstan | 2004 | 4 | Sixth place | Asia – AASF |
| 2 | Greece | 2008 | 3 | Runners-up | Europe – LEN |
| 3 | Great Britain | 2012$^*$ | 2 | Eighth place | Europe – LEN |
| 4 | Brazil | 2016$^*$ | 1 | Eighth place | Americas – UANA |
| 4 | Italy | 2016 | 1 | Champions | Europe – LEN |
| 6 | Australia | 2020 | 0 | Champions | Oceania – OSA |
| 6 | Canada | 2020 | 0 | Fifth place | Americas – UANA |
| 6 | China | 2020 | 0 | Fifth place | Asia – AASF |
| 6 | Hungary | 2020 | 0 | Fourth place | Europe – LEN |
| 6 | Japan | 2020$^*$ | 0 | Ninth place | Asia – AASF |
| 6 | Netherlands | 2020 | 0 | Champions | Europe – LEN |
| 6 | Russia | 2020 | 0 | Third place | Europe – LEN |
| 6 | South Africa | 2020 | 0 | Tenth place | Africa – CANA |
| 6 | Spain | 2020 | 0 | Runners-up | Europe – LEN |
| 6 | United States | 2020 | 0 | Champions | Americas – UANA |
| Rk | Women'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: 7 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 | Women's team | Prev. appearance | Next appearance | Olympics missed | Best finish | Confederation |
| 1 | Kazakhstan | 2004 | active | 4 | Sixth place | Asia – AASF |
| 2 | Canada | 2004 | 2020 | 3 | Fifth place | Americas – UANA |
| 2 | Greece | 2008 | active | 3 | Runners-up | Europe – LEN |
| 4 | Netherlands | 2008 | 2020 | 2 | Champions | Europe – LEN |
| 4 | Great Britain | 2012$^*$ | active | 2 | Eighth place | Europe – LEN |
| 6 | Brazil | 2016$^*$ | active | 1 | Eighth place | Americas – UANA |
| 6 | Italy | 2016 | active | 1 | Champions | Europe – LEN |
| 8 | Australia | 2020 | active | 0 | Champions | Oceania – OSA |
| 8 | China | 2020 | active | 0 | Fifth place | Asia – AASF |
| 8 | Hungary | 2020 | active | 0 | Fourth place | Europe – LEN |
| 8 | Japan | 2020$^*$ | active | 0 | Ninth place | Asia – AASF |
| 8 | Russia | 2020 | active | 0 | Third place | Europe – LEN |
| 8 | South Africa | 2020 | active | 0 | Tenth place | Africa – CANA |
| 8 | Spain | 2020 | active | 0 | Runners-up | Europe – LEN |
| 8 | United States | 2020 | active | 0 | Champions | Americas – UANA |
| Rk | Women'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: 7 August 2021.

#### Legend

* Year$^*$ – As host team

#### Appearances
##### Most appearances

    6, Australia, United States (have participated in every tournament).

##### Most appearances, never winning a title

    5, Russia (has participated in every tournament).

##### Most appearances, never finishing in the top two

    5, Russia (has participated in every tournament).

##### Most appearances, never winning a medal

    4, China (2008$^*$, 2012, 2016, 2020).

##### Most appearances, never finishing in the top four

    4, China (2008$^*$, 2012, 2016, 2020).

##### Fewest appearances

    1, Great Britain (2012$^*$), Brazil (2016$^*$), Japan (2020$^*$), ROC (2020), South Africa (2020).

##### Fewest appearances, winning a title

    3, Netherlands (2008).

##### Fewest appearances, finishing in the top two

    2, Greece (2004$^*$).

##### Fewest appearances, winning a medal

    2, Greece (2004$^*$).

##### Fewest appearances, finishing in the top four

    2, Greece (2004$^*$).

#### Top four
##### Most titles won

    3, United States (2012, 2016, 2020).

##### Most second-place finishes

    2, United States (2000, 2008), Spain (2012, 2020).

##### Most third-place finishes

    2, Australia (2008, 2012), Russia (2000, 2016).

##### Most fourth-place finishes

    3, Hungary (2008, 2012, 2016).

##### Most finishes in the top two

    5, United States (2000, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020).

##### Most finishes in the top two, never winning a title

    2, Spain (2012, 2020).

##### Most finishes in the top three

    6, United States (has been medaled in every tournament).

##### Most finishes in the top three, never winning a title

    2, Russia (2000, 2016), Spain (2012, 2020).

##### Most finishes in the top three, never finishing in the top two

    2, Russia (2000, 2016).

##### Most finishes in the top four

    6, United States (has finished in the top four in every tournament).

##### Most finishes in the top four, never winning a title

    4, Hungary (2008, 2012, 2016, 2020).

##### Most finishes in the top four, never finishing in the top two

    4, Hungary (2008, 2012, 2016, 2020).

##### Most finishes in the top four, never winning a medal

    1, ROC (2020).

##### Fewest finishes in the top two, winning a title

    1, Australia (2000$^*$), Netherlands (2008).

##### Fewest finishes in the top three, winning a title

    1, Netherlands (2008).

##### Fewest finishes in the top three, finishing in the top two

    1, Greece (2004$^*$), Netherlands (2008).

##### Fewest finishes in the top four, winning a title

    2, Netherlands (2000, 2008), Italy (2004, 2016).

##### Fewest finishes in the top four, finishing in the top two

    1, Greece (2004$^*$).

##### Fewest finishes in the top four, winning a medal

    1, Greece (2004$^*$).

#### Consecutive
##### Most consecutive titles won

    3, United States (2012–2016–2020).

##### Most consecutive second-place finishes

    None.

##### Most consecutive third-place finishes

    2, Australia (2008–2012).

##### Most consecutive fourth-place finishes

    3, Hungary (2008–2012–2016).

##### Most consecutive finishes in the top two

    4, United States (2008–2012–2016–2020).

##### Most consecutive finishes in the top three

    6, United States (has been medaled in every tournament).

##### Most consecutive finishes in the top four

    6, United States (has finished in the top four in every tournament).

##### Most consecutive appearances

    6, Australia, United States (have participated in every tournament).

##### Biggest improvement in position in consecutive tournaments

    Did not participate/qualify, then won the title, Italy (2000–2004), Netherlands (2004–2008).

#### Gaps
##### Longest gap between successive titles

    None.

##### Longest gap between successive second-place finishes

    9 years, Spain (2012, 2020).

##### Longest gap between successive third-place finishes

    16 years, Russia (2000, 2016).

##### Longest gap between successive fourth-place finishes

    None.

##### Longest gap between successive appearances in the top two

    12 years, Italy (2004–2016).

##### Longest gap between successive appearances in the top three

    16 years, Russia (2000–2016).

##### Longest gap between successive appearances in the top four

    16 years, Russia (2000–2016).

##### Longest gap between successive appearances

    17 years, Canada (2004–2020).

#### Debuting teams
##### Best finish by a debuting team

    Champions, Australia (2000$^*$), Italy (2004).

##### Worst finish by a debuting team

    10th position (last position), South Africa (2020).

#### Host teams
##### Best finish by host team

    Champions: Australia (2000$^*$).

##### Worst finish by host team

    9th position, Japan (2020$^*$).

##### Best finish by last host team

    4th position, Australia (2004).

##### Worst finish by last host team

    Did not participate/qualify, Great Britain (2016), Brazil (2020).

##### Worst finish by last host team that participates in the tournament

    8th position (last position), Greece (2008).

##### Had its best performance as hosts

    Champions, Australia (2000$^*$). Runners-up, Greece (2004$^*$). 5th position, China (2008$^*$). 8th position, Great Britain (2012$^*$), Brazil (2016$^*$). 9th position, Japan (2020$^*$).

##### Had its worst performance as hosts

    8th position, Great Britain (2012$^*$), Brazil (2016$^*$). 9th position, Japan (2020$^*$).

#### Defending champions
##### Best finish by defending champions

    Champions, United States (2016, 2020).

##### Worst finish by defending champions

    Did not participate/qualify, Netherlands (2012).

##### Worst finish by defending champions that participates in the next tournament

    6th position, Italy (2008).

#### Defending runners-up
##### Best finish by defending runners-up

    Champions, United States (2012).

##### Worst finish by defending runners-up

    Did not participate/qualify, Italy (2020).

##### Worst finish by defending runners-up that participates in the next tournament

    8th position (last position), Greece (2008).

#### Population
##### Most populous country, participant

    China (2020), 1,411,099,000 (source)

##### Least populous country, participant

    Hungary (2020), 9,750,000 (source)

##### Most populous country, hosts

    China (2008$^*$), 1,324,655,000 (source)

##### Least populous country, hosts

    Greece (2004$^*$), 10,955,000 (source)

##### Most populous country, champions

    United States (2020), 331,449,000 (source)

##### Least populous country, champions

    Netherlands (2008), 16,446,000 (source)

##### Most populous country, runners-up

    United States (2008), 304,375,000 (source)

##### Least populous country, runners-up

    Greece (2004$^*$), 10,955,000 (source)

##### Most populous country, third place

    United States (2004), 293,046,000 (source)

##### Least populous country, third place

    Hungary (2020), 9,750,000 (source)

##### Most populous country, fourth place

    Australia (2004), 19,895,000 (source)

##### Least populous country, fourth place

    Hungary (2016), 9,830,485 (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 | 2000 | 2004 | 2008 | 2012 | 2016 | 2020 | 2024 |
| Africa – CANA | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| Americas – UANA | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Asia – AASF | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Europe – LEN | 2 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 6 |
| Oceania – OSA | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total teams | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 |

### Best performances by tournament

This is a summary of the best performances of each confederation in each tournament. Last updated: 7 August 2021.

#### Legend

* 1st – Champions
* 2nd – Runners-up
* 3rd – Third place
* 4th – Fourth place
* Q – Qualified for forthcoming tournament
| Confederation | 2000 | 2004 | 2008 | 2012 | 2016 | 2020 | 2024 |
| Africa – CANA | — | — | — | — | — | 10th | — |
| Americas – UANA | 2nd | 3rd | 2nd | 1st | 1st | 1st | 4th |
| Asia – AASF | 6th | 8th | 5th | 5th | 7th | 8th | 10th |
| Europe – LEN | 3rd | 1st | 1st | 2nd | 2nd | 2nd | 1st |
| Oceania – OSA | 1st | 4th | 3rd | 3rd | 6th | 5th | 2nd |
| Total teams | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 |

### All-time best performances

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

#### Legend

* Year$^*$ – As host team
| Confederation | Best performance | Women's team |
| Africa – CANA | — | — |
| Americas – UANA | 1st | United States (2012, 2016) |
| Asia – AASF | 5th | China (2008$^*$, 2012) |
| Europe – LEN | 1st | Italy (2004), Netherlands (2008) |
| Oceania – OSA | 1st | Australia (2000$^*$) |