# List of World Aquatics Championships men's water polo tournament records and statistics

This is a list of records and statistics of the men's water polo tournament at the World Aquatics Championships since the inaugural official edition in 1973.

## Confederation statistics
### Best performances by tournament

This is a summary of the best performances of each confederation in each tournament.
* view

#### Legend

* 1st – Champions
* 2nd – Runners-up
* 3rd – Third place
* 4th – Fourth place
* Q – Qualified for forthcoming tournament
| Confederation | 1973 | 1975 | 1978 | 1982 | 1986 | 1991 | 1994 | 1998 | 2001 | 2003 | 2005 | 2007 | 2009 | 2011 | 2013 | 2015 | 2017 | 2019 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
| Africa – CANA | — | — | — | 15th | — | 15th | 15th | 14th | — | — | 15th | 14th | 15th | 16th | 15th | 12th | 16th | 12th | 12th | 16th | 15th |
| Americas – ASUA | 5th | 4th | 5th | 5th | 4th | 4th | 6th | 7th | 7th | 6th | 11th | 9th | 4th | 6th | 9th | 7th | 12th | 9th | 6th | 7th | 9th |
| Asia – AASF | — | 15th | — | 10th | — | 14th | 12th | 11th | 12th | 15th | 14th | 13th | 12th | 11th | 12th | 11th | 10th | 11th | 9th | 11th | 12th |
| Europe – LEN | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st |
| Oceania – OSA | 14th | 11th | 9th | 11th | 10th | 8th | 10th | 4th | 10th | 7th | 10th | 10th | 10th | 9th | 8th | 8th | 7th | 6th | 11th | 10th | 11th |
| Nations | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | |

### All-time best performances

This is a summary of the best performances of each confederation at the World Aquatics Championships.

#### Legend

* $^*$ – Host team
* $^†$ – Defunct team
| Confederation | Best performance | Men's team |
| Africa – CANA | 12th | South Africa (2015, 2019, 2022) |
| Americas – ASUA | 4th | Cuba (1975), United States (1986, 1991, 2009) |
| Asia – AASF | 9th | Japan (2022) |
| Europe – LEN | 1st | Croatia (2007, 2017, 2024), Hungary (1973, 2003, 2013, 2023), Italy (1978, 1994$^*$, 2011, 2019), Serbia (2009, 2015), Serbia and Montenegro$^†$ (2005), Soviet Union$^†$ (1975, 1982), Spain (1998, 2001), Yugoslavia$^†$ (1986, 1991) |
| Oceania – OSA | 4th | Australia (1998$^*$) |

## Team statistics
### Debut of teams
#### Legend

* $^*$ – Host 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 | 1973 | – | Cuba, Mexico, United States | – | Bulgaria, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Romania, Soviet Union$^†$, Spain, West Germany$^†$, Yugoslavia$^{*†}$ | Australia | 16 | 16 |
| 2 | 1975 | – | Canada, Colombia$^*$ | Iran | – | – | 3 | 19 |
| 3 | 1978 | – | – | – | – | – | 0 | 19 |
| 4 | 1982 | Egypt | – | China | France | New Zealand | 4 | 23 |
| 5 | 1986 | – | Brazil | – | – | – | 1 | 24 |
| 6 | 1991 | – | – | – | Germany | – | 1 | 25 |
| 7 | 1994 | South Africa | – | Kazakhstan | Croatia, Russia | – | 4 | 29 |
| 8 | 1998 | – | – | – | Yugoslavia$^†$, Slovakia | – | 2 | 31 |
| 9 | 2001 | – | – | Japan$^*$ | – | – | 1 | 32 |
| 10 | 2003 | – | – | – | – | – | 0 | 32 |
| # | Year | Africa | Americas | Asia | Europe | Oceania | Number | Cumulative total |
| 11 | 2005 | – | – | – | – | – | 0 | 32 |
| 12 | 2007 | – | – | – | Serbia | – | 1 | 33 |
| 13 | 2009 | – | – | – | Macedonia, Montenegro | – | 2 | 35 |
| 14 | 2011 | – | – | – | – | – | 0 | 35 |
| 15 | 2013 | – | – | – | – | – | 0 | 35 |
| 16 | 2015 | – | Argentina | – | – | – | 1 | 36 |
| 17 | 2017 | – | – | – | – | – | 0 | 36 |
| 18 | 2019 | – | – | South Korea$^*$ | – | – | 1 | 37 |
| 19 | 2022 | – | – | – | Georgia | – | 1 | 38 |
| 20 | 2023 | – | – | – | – | – | 0 | 38 |
| 21 | 2024 | – | – | – | – | – | 0 | 38 |
| Total | Total | 2 | 7 | 5 | 22 | 2 | | |

### Results of host teams and defending finalists
#### Legend

* $^†$ – Defunct team
| # | Year | Host team | Finish | Defending champions | Finish | Defending runners-up | Finish |
| 1 | 1973 | Yugoslavia$^†$ | 3rd of 16 teams | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear |
| 2 | 1975 | Colombia | 16th of 16 teams | Hungary | 2nd of 16 teams | Soviet Union$^†$ | 1st of 16 teams |
| 3 | 1978 | West Germany$^†$ | 7th of 16 teams | Soviet Union$^†$ | 4th of 16 teams | Hungary | 2nd of 16 teams |
| 4 | 1982 | Ecuador | Did not participate | Italy | 9th of 16 teams | Hungary | 2nd of 16 teams |
| 5 | 1986 | Spain | 5th of 15 teams | Soviet Union$^†$ | 3rd of 15 teams | Hungary | 9th of 15 teams |
| 6 | 1991 | Australia | 8th of 16 teams | Yugoslavia$^†$ | 1st of 16 teams | Italy | 6th of 16 teams |
| 7 | 1994 | Italy | 1st of 16 teams | Yugoslavia$^†$ | Defunct | Spain | 2nd of 16 teams |
| 8 | 1998 | Australia | 4th of 16 teams | Italy | 5th of 16 teams | Spain | 1st of 16 teams |
| 9 | 2001 | Japan | 16th of 16 teams | Spain | 1st of 16 teams | Hungary | 5th of 16 teams |
| 10 | 2003 | Spain | 5th of 16 teams | Spain | 5th of 16 teams | Yugoslavia$^†$ | 3rd of 16 teams |
| 11 | 2005 | Canada | 13th of 16 teams | Hungary | 2nd of 16 teams | Italy | 8th of 16 teams |
| # | Year | Host team | Finish | Defending champions | Finish | Defending runners-up | Finish |
| 12 | 2007 | Australia | 10th of 16 teams | Serbia and Montenegro$^†$ | Defunct | Hungary | 2nd of 16 teams |
| 13 | 2009 | Italy | 11th of 16 teams | Croatia | 3rd of 16 teams | Hungary | 5th of 16 teams |
| 14 | 2011 | China | 15th of 16 teams | Serbia | 2nd of 16 teams | Spain | 5th of 16 teams |
| 15 | 2013 | Spain | 5th of 16 teams | Italy | 4th of 16 teams | Serbia | 7th of 16 teams |
| 16 | 2015 | Russia | 14th of 16 teams | Hungary | 6th of 16 teams | Montenegro | 5th of 16 teams |
| 17 | 2017 | Hungary | 2nd of 16 teams | Serbia | 3rd of 16 teams | Croatia | 1st of 16 teams |
| 18 | 2019 | South Korea | 15th of 16 teams | Croatia | 3rd of 16 teams | Hungary | 4th of 16 teams |
| 19 | 2022 | Hungary | 7th of 16 teams | Italy | 2nd of 16 teams | Spain | 1st of 16 teams |
| 20 | 2023 | Japan | 11th of 16 teams | Spain | 3rd of 16 teams | Italy | 5th of 16 teams |
| 21 | 2024 | Qatar | Did not participate | Hungary | 7th of 16 teams | Greece | 5th of 16 teams |
| # | Year | Host team | Finish | Defending champions | Finish | Defending runners-up | Finish |

### Comprehensive team results by tournament

Note: Results of qualification tournaments are not included.
* view

#### Legend

* 1st – Champions
* 2nd – Runners-up
* 3rd – Third place
* 4th – Fourth place
* Q – Qualified for forthcoming tournament
* – Hosts
* $^†$ – Defunct team
Africa – CANA (2 teams) :
| Men's team | 1973 | 1975 | 1978 | 1982 | 1986 | 1991 | 1994 | 1998 | 2001 | 2003 | 2005 | 2007 | 2009 | 2011 | 2013 | 2015 | 2017 | 2019 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Years |
| Egypt | | | | 15th | | 15th | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 |
| South Africa | | | | | | | 15th | 14th | | | 15th | 14th | 15th | 16th | 15th | 12th | 16th | 12th | 12th | 16th | 15th | 13 |
| Americas – ASUA (7 teams) |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Men's team | 1973 | 1975 | 1978 | 1982 | 1986 | 1991 | 1994 | 1998 | 2001 | 2003 | 2005 | 2007 | 2009 | 2011 | 2013 | 2015 | 2017 | 2019 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Years |
| Argentina | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16th | | | | 13th | | 2 |
| Brazil | | | | | 12th | | | 12th | 13th | 13th | | | 13th | 14th | | 10th | 12th | 13th | 15th | WD | 14th | 11 |
| Canada | | 14th | 14th | 14th | 13th | 13th | 14th | 13th | 15th | 14th | 13th | 12th | 8th | 10th | 11th | 9th | 15th | | 16th | 12th | | 18 |
| Colombia | | 16th | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1 |
| Cuba | 6th | 4th | 10th | 5th | 7th | 11th | 11th | | | | 12th | | | | | | | | | | | 8 |
| Mexico | 9th | 9th | 15th | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 3 |
| United States | 5th | 8th | 5th | 6th | 4th | 4th | 6th | 7th | 7th | 6th | 11th | 9th | 4th | 6th | 9th | 7th | 13th | 9th | 6th | 7th | 9th | 21 |
| Asia – AASF (5 teams) |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Men's team | 1973 | 1975 | 1978 | 1982 | 1986 | 1991 | 1994 | 1998 | 2001 | 2003 | 2005 | 2007 | 2009 | 2011 | 2013 | 2015 | 2017 | 2019 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Years |
| China | | | | 10th | | 14th | | | | 16th | 16th | 13th | 12th | 15th | 14th | 15th | | | | 15th | 12th | 11 |
| Iran | | 15th | | | | | | 15th | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 |
| Japan | | | | | | | | | 16th | 15th | 14th | 16th | | 11th | | 13th | 10th | 11th | 9th | 11th | 13th | 11 |
| Kazakhstan | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | 12th | 11th | 12th | | | | 16th | 13th | 12th | 11th | 11th | 14th | 14th | 14th | 16th | 12 |
| South Korea | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 15th | | | | 1 |
| Europe – LEN (22 teams) |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Men's team | 1973 | 1975 | 1978 | 1982 | 1986 | 1991 | 1994 | 1998 | 2001 | 2003 | 2005 | 2007 | 2009 | 2011 | 2013 | 2015 | 2017 | 2019 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Years |
| Bulgaria | 13th | 12th | 8th | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 3 |
| Croatia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | 4th | 9th | 8th | 9th | 4th | 1st | 3rd | 3rd | 3rd | 2nd | 1st | 3rd | 4th | 9th | 1st | 15 |
| France | | | | 13th | 8th | 12th | | | | | | | | | | | 14th | | | 6th | 4th | 6 |
| Georgia | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10th | | | 1 |
| Germany | See West Germany | See West Germany | See West Germany | See West Germany | See West Germany | 5th | 9th | | 14th | 11th | 9th | 8th | 6th | 8th | 10th | | | 8th | 13th | | | 11 |
| Great Britain | 15th | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1 |
| Greece | 12th | | 12th | 12th | 11th | 10th | 7th | 8th | 6th | 4th | 3rd | 6th | | | 6th | 3rd | 4th | 7th | 3rd | 2nd | 5th | 18 |
| Hungary | 1st | 2nd | 2nd | 2nd | 9th | 3rd | 5th | 2nd | 5th | 1st | 2nd | 2nd | 5th | 4th | 1st | 6th | 2nd | 4th | 7th | 1st | 7th | 21 |
| Israel | 16th | | 16th | | 15th | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 3 |
| Italy | 4th | 3rd | 1st | 9th | 2nd | 6th | 1st | 5th | 4th | 2nd | 8th | 5th | 11th | 1st | 4th | 4th | 6th | 1st | 2nd | 5th | 2nd | 21 |
| Montenegro | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of FRY / SCG | Part of FRY / SCG | Part of FRY / SCG | Part of FRY / SCG | Part of FRY / SCG | | 9th | 7th | 2nd | 5th | 5th | 10th | 8th | 8th | 8th | 9 |
| Men's team | 1973 | 1975 | 1978 | 1982 | 1986 | 1991 | 1994 | 1998 | 2001 | 2003 | 2005 | 2007 | 2009 | 2011 | 2013 | 2015 | 2017 | 2019 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Years |
| Netherlands | 8th | 7th | 13th | 4th | 14th | | 8th | | 9th | | | | | | | | | | | | | 7 |
| North Macedonia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | | | | | | | 14th | | | | | | | | | 1 |
| Romania | 7th | 5th | 6th | | | 9th | 13th | | | 12th | 6th | 11th | 7th | 12th | 13th | | | | | | 10th | 12 |
| Russia | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | Part of Soviet Union | 3rd | 6th | 3rd | 10th | 7th | 7th | | | | 14th | 8th | | DQ | DQ | DQ | 8 |
| Serbia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of FRY / SCG | Part of FRY / SCG | Part of FRY / SCG | Part of FRY / SCG | Part of FRY / SCG | 4th | 1st | 2nd | 7th | 1st | 3rd | 5th | 5th | 4th | 6th | 10 |
| Serbia and Montenegro$^†$ | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | Part of Yugoslavia | | 3rd | 2nd | 3rd | 1st | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | 4 |
| Slovakia | Part of Czechoslovakia | Part of Czechoslovakia | Part of Czechoslovakia | Part of Czechoslovakia | Part of Czechoslovakia | Part of Czechoslovakia | | 10th | 11th | 8th | | | | | | | | | | | | 3 |
| Soviet Union$^†$ | 2nd | 1st | 4th | 1st | 3rd | 7th | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | 6 |
| Spain | 10th | 10th | 11th | 8th | 5th | 2nd | 2nd | 1st | 1st | 5th | 5th | 3rd | 2nd | 5th | 5th | | 9th | 2nd | 1st | 3rd | 3rd | 20 |
| West Germany$^†$ | 11th | 6th | 7th | 3rd | 6th | See Germany | See Germany | See Germany | See Germany | See Germany | See Germany | See Germany | See Germany | See Germany | See Germany | See Germany | See Germany | See Germany | See Germany | See Germany | See Germany | 5 |
| Yugoslavia$^†$ | 3rd | 13th | 3rd | 7th | 1st | 1st | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | Defunct | 6 |
| Oceania – OSA (2 teams) |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Men's team | 1973 | 1975 | 1978 | 1982 | 1986 | 1991 | 1994 | 1998 | 2001 | 2003 | 2005 | 2007 | 2009 | 2011 | 2013 | 2015 | 2017 | 2019 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Years |
| Australia | 14th | 11th | 9th | 11th | 10th | 8th | 10th | 4th | 10th | 7th | 10th | 10th | 10th | 9th | 8th | 8th | 7th | 6th | 11th | 10th | 11th | 21 |
| New Zealand | | | | 16th | | 16th | 16th | 16th | | | | 15th | | | 16th | | | 16th | | | | 7 |
| Total teams | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | |

### Finishes in the top four

The following table is pre-sorted by total finishes in the top four (in descending order), number of gold medals (in descending order), number of silver medals (in descending order), number of bronze medals (in descending order), name of the team (in ascending order), respectively.
* view

#### Legend

* $^*$ – Host team
* $^†$ – Defunct team
| Rk | Men's team | Total | Champions | Runners-up | Third place | Fourth place | First | Last |
| 1 | Hungary | 14 | 4 (1973, 2003, 2013, 2023) | 7 (1975, 1978, 1982, 1998, 2005, 2007, 2017$^*$) | 1 (1991) | 2 (2011, 2019) | 1973 | 2023 |
| 2 | Italy | 13 | 4 (1978, 1994$^*$, 2011, 2019) | 4 (1986, 2003, 2022, 2024) | 1 (1975) | 4 (1973, 2001, 2013, 2015) | 1973 | 2024 |
| 3 | Croatia | 11 | 3 (2007, 2017, 2024) | 1 (2015) | 4 (2009, 2011, 2013, 2019) | 3 (1994, 2005, 2022) | 1994 | 2024 |
| 4 | Spain | 10 | 3 (1998, 2001, 2022) | 4 (1991, 1994, 2009, 2019) | 2 (2007, 2023, 2024) | | 1991 | 2024 |
| 5 | Serbia | 6 | 2 (2009, 2015) | 1 (2011) | 1 (2017) | 2 (2007, 2023) | 2007 | 2023 |
| 6 | Greece | 6 | | 1 (2023) | 3 (2005, 2015, 2022) | 2 (2003, 2017) | 2003 | 2023 |
| 7 | Soviet Union$^†$ | 5 | 2 (1975, 1982) | 1 (1973) | 1 (1986) | 1 (1978) | 1973 | 1986 |
| 8 | Yugoslavia$^†$ | 4 | 2 (1986, 1991) | | 2 (1973$^*$, 1978) | | 1973 | 1991 |
| 9 | Yugoslavia$^†$ / Serbia and Montenegro$^†$ | 4 | 1 (2005) | 1 (2001) | 2 (1998, 2003) | | 1998 | 2005 |
| 10 | United States | 3 | | | | 3 (1986, 1991, 2009) | 1986 | 2009 |
| 11 | Russia | 2 | | | 2 (1994, 2001) | | 1994 | 2001 |
| 12 | Montenegro | 1 | | 1 (2013) | | | 2013 | 2013 |
| 13 | West Germany$^†$ | 1 | | | 1 (1982) | | 1982 | 1982 |
| 14 | Australia | 1 | | | | 1 (1998$^*$) | 1998 | 1998 |
| 14 | Cuba | 1 | | | | 1 (1975) | 1975 | 1975 |
| 14 | France | 1 | | | | 1 (2024) | 2024 | 2024 |
| 14 | Netherlands | 1 | | | | 1 (1982) | 1982 | 1982 |
| 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 gold medals (in descending order), number of silver medals (in descending order), number of bronze medals (in descending order), name of the team (in ascending order), respectively.
* view

#### Legend

* $^†$ – Defunct team
| Rank | Men's team | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
| 1 | Hungary | 4 | 7 | 1 | 12 |
| 2 | Italy | 4 | 4 | 1 | 9 |
| 3 | Spain | 3 | 4 | 3 | 10 |
| 4 | Croatia | 3 | 1 | 4 | 8 |
| 5 | Serbia | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 5 | Soviet Union$^†$ | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 7 | Yugoslavia$^†$ | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| 8 | Yugoslavia$^†$ / Serbia and Montenegro$^†$ | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| 9 | Greece | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| 10 | Montenegro | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 11 | Russia | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 12 | West Germany$^†$ | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Totals (12 entries) | Totals (12 entries) | 21 | 21 | 21 | 63 |

### Champions

The following table shows results of world champions in men's water polo by tournament.
* view

#### Legend

* 6 – Winning 6 matches during the tournament
* 4 – Drawing 4 matches during the tournament
* 2 – Losing 2 matches during the tournament
* 100.0% – Winning all matches during the tournament
* team – Winning streak (winning three or more world championships in a row)
* – Host team
* $^†$ – Defunct team

#### Abbreviation

* MP – Matches played
* W – Won
* D – Drawn
* L – Lost
* GF – Goals for
* GA – Goals against
* GD – Goals difference
* GF/MP – Goals for per match
* GA/MP – Goals against per match
* GD/MP – Goals difference per match
Results of champions by tournament :
| # | Men's tournament | Champion | MP | W | D | L | Win % | GF | GA | GD | GF/MP | GA/MP | GD/MP |
| 1 | Belgrade 1973 | Hungary (1st title) | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 87.5% | 58 | 24 | 34 | 7.250 | 3.000 | 4.250 |
| 2 | Cali 1975 | Soviet Union$^†$ (1st title) | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 75.0% | 49 | 26 | 23 | 6.125 | 3.250 | 2.875 |
| 3 | West Berlin 1978 | Italy (1st title) | 8 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 62.5% | 41 | 31 | 10 | 5.125 | 3.875 | 1.250 |
| 4 | Guayaquil 1982 | Soviet Union$^†$ (2nd title) | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 85.7% | 68 | 41 | 27 | 9.714 | 5.857 | 3.857 |
| 5 | Madrid 1986 | Yugoslavia$^†$ (1st title) | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 83.3% | 61 | 43 | 18 | 10.167 | 7.167 | 3.000 |
| 6 | Perth 1991 | Yugoslavia$^†$ (2nd title) | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 85.7% | 81 | 46 | 35 | 11.571 | 6.571 | 5.000 |
| 7 | Rome 1994 | Italy (2nd title) | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% | 65 | 39 | 26 | 9.286 | 5.571 | 3.714 |
| 8 | Perth 1998 | Spain (1st title) | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% | 65 | 35 | 30 | 8.125 | 4.375 | 3.750 |
| 9 | Fukuoka 2001 | Spain (2nd title) | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% | 63 | 27 | 36 | 7.875 | 3.375 | 4.500 |
| 10 | Barcelona 2003 | Hungary (2nd title) | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 83.3% | 62 | 37 | 25 | 10.333 | 6.167 | 4.167 |
| 11 | Montreal 2005 | Serbia and Montenegro$^†$ (1st title) | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% | 69 | 29 | 40 | 11.500 | 4.833 | 6.667 |
| 12 | Melbourne 2007 | Croatia (1st title) | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% | 65 | 40 | 25 | 10.833 | 6.667 | 4.167 |
| 13 | Rome 2009 | Serbia (1st title) | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 71.4% | 80 | 60 | 20 | 11.429 | 8.571 | 2.857 |
| 14 | Shanghai 2011 | Italy (3rd title) | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% | 59 | 33 | 26 | 9.833 | 5.500 | 4.333 |
| 15 | Barcelona 2013 | Hungary (3rd title) | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 71.4% | 76 | 54 | 22 | 10.857 | 7.714 | 3.143 |
| 16 | Kazan 2015 | Serbia (2nd title) | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% | 73 | 43 | 30 | 12.167 | 7.167 | 5.000 |
| 17 | Budapest 2017 | Croatia (2nd title) | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% | 70 | 47 | 23 | 11.667 | 7.833 | 3.833 |
| 18 | Gwangju 2019 | Italy (4th title) | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% | 60 | 40 | 20 | 10.000 | 6.667 | 3.333 |
| 19 | Budapest 2022 | Spain (3rd title) | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% | 74 | 39 | 35 | 14.800 | 7.800 | 7.000 |
| 20 | Fukuoka 2023 | Hungary (4th title) | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% | 88 | 67 | 21 | 14.667 | 11.167 | 3.500 |
| 21 | Doha 2024 | Croatia (3rd title) | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 85.7% | 117 | 70 | 47 | 16.174 | 10.000 | 6.174 |
| # | Men's tournament | Total | 141 | 126 | 11 | 4 | 89.4% | 1444 | 871 | 573 | 10.241 | 6.177 | 4.064 |
| # | Men's tournament | Champion | MP | W | D | L | Win % | GF | GA | GD | GF/MP | GA/MP | GD/MP |
Sources:
* Official Reports (FINA) (PDF): "World Championship" (p. 15);
* Todor66: "Men's Water Polo World Championship".
The following table shows men's teams that won all matches during the tournament.
* view
Winning all matches during the tournament :
| # | Year | Champion | MP | W | D | L | Win % |
| 1 | 1994 | Italy (2nd title) | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% |
| 2 | 1998 | Spain (1st title) | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% |
| 3 | 2001 | Spain (2nd title) | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% |
| 4 | 2005 | Serbia and Montenegro$^†$ (1st title) | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% |
| 5 | 2007 | Croatia (1st title) | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% |
| 6 | 2011 | Italy (3rd title) | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% |
| 7 | 2015 | Serbia (2nd title) | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% |
| 8 | 2017 | Croatia (2nd title) | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% |
| 9 | 2019 | Italy (4th title) | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% |
| 10 | 2022 | Spain (3rd title) | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% |
| 11 | 2023 | Hungary (4th title) | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% |
| # | Year | Champion | MP | W | D | L | Win % |
The following tables show records of goals for per match.
* view
Top 5 most goals for per match :
| Rk | Year | Champion | MP | GF | GF/MP |
| 1 | 2024 | Croatia (3rd title) | 7 | 117 | 16.174 |
| 2 | 2022 | Spain (3rd title) | 5 | 74 | 14.800 |
| 3 | 2023 | Hungary (4th title) | 6 | 88 | 14.667 |
| 4 | 2015 | Serbia (2nd title) | 6 | 73 | 12.167 |
| 5 | 2017 | Croatia (2nd title) | 6 | 70 | 11.667 |
Top 5 fewest goals for per match :
| Rk | Year | Champion | MP | GF | GF/MP |
| 1 | 1978 | Italy (1st title) | 8 | 41 | 5.125 |
| 2 | 1975 | Soviet Union$^†$ (1st title) | 8 | 49 | 6.125 |
| 3 | 1973 | Hungary (1st title) | 8 | 58 | 7.250 |
| 4 | 2001 | Spain (2nd title) | 8 | 63 | 7.875 |
| 5 | 1998 | Spain (1st title) | 8 | 65 | 8.125 |
Historical progression of records – goals for per match :
| Goals for per match | Achievement | Year | Champion | Date of winning gold | Duration of record |
| 7.250 | Set record | 1973 | Hungary (1st title) | 9 September 1973 | 8 years, 332 days |
| 9.714 | Broke record | 1982 | Soviet Union$^†$ (2nd title) | 7 August 1982 | 4 years, 15 days |
| 10.167 | Broke record | 1986 | Yugoslavia$^†$ (1st title) | 22 August 1986 | 4 years, 144 days |
| 11.571 | Broke record | 1991 | Yugoslavia$^†$ (2nd title) | 13 January 1991 | 24 years, 207 days |
| 12.167 | Broke record | 2015 | Serbia (2nd title) | 8 August 2015 | 6 years, 329 days |
| 14.800 | Broke record | 2022 | Spain (3rd title) | 3 July 2022 | 1 year, 229 days |
| 16.174 | Broke record | 2024 | Croatia (3rd title) | 17 February 2024 | 234 days |
The following tables show records of goals against per match.
* view
Top 5 most goals against per match :
| Rk | Year | Champion | MP | GA | GA/MP |
| 1 | 2023 | Hungary (4th title) | 6 | 67 | 11.167 |
| 2 | 2024 | Croatia (3rd title) | 7 | 70 | 10.000 |
| 3 | 2009 | Serbia (1st title) | 7 | 60 | 8.571 |
| 4 | 2017 | Croatia (2nd title) | 6 | 47 | 7.833 |
| 5 | 2022 | Spain (3rd title) | 5 | 39 | 7.800 |
Top 5 fewest goals against per match :
| Rk | Year | Champion | MP | GA | GA/MP |
| 1 | 1973 | Hungary (1st title) | 8 | 24 | 3.000 |
| 2 | 1975 | Soviet Union$^†$ (1st title) | 8 | 26 | 3.250 |
| 3 | 2001 | Spain (2nd title) | 8 | 27 | 3.375 |
| 4 | 1978 | Italy (1st title) | 8 | 31 | 3.875 |
| 5 | 1998 | Spain (1st title) | 8 | 35 | 4.375 |
The following tables show records of goals difference per match.
* view
Top 5 most goals difference per match :
| Rk | Year | Champion | MP | GD | GD/MP |
| 1 | 2022 | Spain (3rd title) | 5 | 35 | 7.000 |
| 2 | 2005 | Serbia and Montenegro$^†$ (1st title) | 6 | 40 | 6.667 |
| 3 | 2024 | Croatia (3rd title) | 7 | 47 | 6.174 |
| 4 | 1991 | Yugoslavia$^†$ (2nd title) | 7 | 35 | 5.000 |
| 4 | 2015 | Serbia (2nd title) | 6 | 30 | 5.000 |
Top 5 fewest goals difference per match :
| Rk | Year | Champion | MP | GD | GD/MP |
| 1 | 1978 | Italy (1st title) | 8 | 10 | 1.250 |
| 2 | 2009 | Serbia (1st title) | 7 | 20 | 2.857 |
| 3 | 1975 | Soviet Union$^†$ (1st title) | 8 | 23 | 2.875 |
| 4 | 1986 | Yugoslavia$^†$ (1st title) | 6 | 18 | 3.000 |
| 5 | 2013 | Hungary (3rd title) | 7 | 22 | 3.143 |

### 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.
Tournament positions

#### Most titles won

    4, Italy (1978, 1994, 2011, 2019); Hungary (1973, 2003, 2013, 2023).

#### Most finishes in the top two

    11, Hungary (1973, 1975, 1978, 1982, 1998, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2013, 2017, 2023).

#### Most finishes in the top three

    12, Hungary (1973, 1975, 1978, 1982, 1991, 1998, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2013, 2017, 2023).

#### Most finishes in the top four

    14, Hungary (1973, 1975, 1978, 1982, 1991, 1998, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2013, 2017, 2019, 2023).

#### Most appearances

    20, Australia, Hungary, Italy, United States (have participated in every tournament).
Consecutive

#### Most consecutive medals

    7, Croatia (2007–2009–2011–2013–2015–2017–2019).

#### Most consecutive golds

    2, Spain (1998–2001); Yugoslavia (1986–1991).

#### Most consecutive silvers

    3, Hungary (1975–1978–1982).

#### Most consecutive bronzes

    3, Croatia (2009–2011–2013).

#### Most consecutive finishes in the top four

    9, Croatia (2005–2007–2009–2011–2013–2015–2017–2019–2022).

#### Most consecutive appearances

    21, Australia, Hungary, Italy, United States (have participated in every tournament).
Gaps

#### Longest gap between successive titles

    30 years, Hungary (1973–2003).

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

    16 years, Hungary (1982–1998).

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

    10 years, Greece (2005–2015); Spain (2009–2019).

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

    18 years, United States (1991–2009).

#### Longest gap between successive appearances

    26 years, France (1991–2017).
Host team

#### Best finish by host team

    Champion: Italy (1994).
Other

#### Most finishes in the top two without ever being champion

    1, Montenegro (2013); Greece (2023).

#### Most finishes in the top three without ever being champion

    4, Greece (2005, 2015, 2022, 2023).

#### Most finishes in the top four without ever being champion

    6, Greece (2003, 2005, 2015, 2017, 2022, 2023).

#### Most finishes in the top four without ever being medaled

    3, United States (1986, 1991, 2009).

## Player statistics

| (C) | Captain | Apps | Appearances | Ref | Reference | Rk | Rank |
| L/R | Handedness | Pos | Playing position | FP | Field player | GK | Goalkeeper |

### Multiple gold medalists

The following table is pre-sorted by number of gold medals (in descending order), number of silver medals (in descending order), number of bronze medals (in descending order), date of receiving the last gold medal (in ascending order), date of receiving the first gold medal (in ascending order), name of the player (in ascending order), respectively.
Serbian player Slobodan Nikić is the first and only male athlete to win three gold medals in water polo at the World Aquatics Championships.
There are thirty five male athletes who won two gold medals in water polo at the World Aquatics Championships.
* view

#### Legend

* – Hosts
Male athletes who won three or more gold medals in water polo at the World Aquatics Championships :
| Rk | Player | Birth | Height | Men's team | Pos | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Period (age of first/last) | Medals | Medals | Medals | Medals | Ref |
| Rk | Player | Birth | Height | Men's team | Pos | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Period (age of first/last) | G | S | B | T | Ref |
| 1 | Slobodan Nikić | 1983 | 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) | Serbia and Montenegro | FP | 2003 | 2005 | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | 12 years (20/32) | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 | |
| 1 | Slobodan Nikić | 1983 | 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) | Serbia | FP | Does not appear | Does not appear | 2007 | 2009 | 2011 | 2013 | 2015 | 12 years (20/32) | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 | |

### Multiple medalists

The following table is pre-sorted by total number of medals (in descending order), number of gold medals (in descending order), number of silver medals (in descending order), date of receiving the last medal (in ascending order), date of receiving the first medal (in ascending order), name of the player (in ascending order), respectively.
Nine male athletes won five or more medals in water polo at the World Aquatics Championships. Aside from Brazilian-born Spanish player Felipe Perrone (who won six medals), Serbian player Slobodan Nikić and Spanish player Blai Mallarach (who won five medals each), all others were members of the Croatia men's national water polo team. Andro Bušlje is the first and only athlete (man or woman) to win seven medals in water polo at the World Aquatics Championships (two gold, one silver and four bronze).
* view

#### Legend

* – Hosts
Male athletes who won five or more medals in water polo at the World Aquatics Championships :
| Rk | Player | Birth | Height | Men's team | Pos | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Period (age of first/last) | Medals | Medals | Medals | Medals | Ref |
| Rk | Player | Birth | Height | Men's team | Pos | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Period (age of first/last) | G | S | B | T | Ref |
| 1 | Andro Bušlje | 1986 | 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in) | Croatia | FP | 2005 | 2007 | 2009 | 2011 | 2013 | 2015 | 2017 | 2019 | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | 14 years (19/33) | 2 | 1 | 4 | 7 | |
| 2 | Maro Joković | 1987 | 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) | Croatia | FP | 2007 | Does not appear | 2011 | 2013 | 2015 | 2017 | 2019 | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | 12 years (19/31) | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 | |
| 3 | Felipe Perrone | 1986 | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | Spain | FP | Does not appear | Does not appear | 2005 | 2007 | 2009 | 2011 | 2013 | Does not appear | Does not appear | 2019 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 22 years (15/37) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | |
| 3 | Felipe Perrone | 1986 | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | Brazil | FP | 2001 | 2003 | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | 2015 | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | 22 years (15/37) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | |
| 4 | Slobodan Nikić | 1983 | 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) | Serbia and Montenegro | FP | 2003 | 2005 | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | 12 years (20/32) | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 | |
| 4 | Slobodan Nikić | 1983 | 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in) | Serbia | FP | Does not appear | Does not appear | 2007 | 2009 | 2011 | 2013 | 2015 | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | 12 years (20/32) | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 | |
| 5 | Marko Bijač | 1991 | 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) | Croatia | GK | 2013 | 2015 | 2017 | 2019 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | 11 years (22/33) | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | |
| 5 | Luka Lončar | 1987 | 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) | Croatia | FP | 2013 | 2015 | 2017 | 2019 | Does not appear | Does not appear | 2024 | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | 10 years (26/36) | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | |
| 7 | Blai Mallarach | 1987 | 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) | Spain | FP | 2009 | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | 2019 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | 15 years (21/36) | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | |
| 8 | Josip Pavić | 1982 | 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) | Croatia | GK | 2001 | Does not appear | 2005 | 2007 | 2009 | 2011 | 2013 | 2015 | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | 14 years (19/33) | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | |
| 8 | Sandro Sukno | 1990 | 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in) | Croatia | FP | 2009 | 2011 | 2013 | 2015 | 2017 | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | Does not appear | 8 years (19/27) | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | |
| Rk | Player | Birth | Height | Men's team | Pos | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Water polo tournament | Period (age of first/last) | G | S | B | T | Ref |
| Ref ||||