Israeli Youth Water Polo Teams Gear Up for Busy Summer with Five International Championships

The summer of 2026 promises to be a landmark period for Israeli water polo, with five youth national teams competing in three World Championships and two European Championships. Starting on July 25, the Israeli girls' under-16 team will participate in the World Championship in Zagreb, Croatia, facing tough opponents including Hungary, the Netherlands, Mexico, and South Africa. This tournament offers the young players their first major international experience against some of the world's strongest teams.

Shortly after, from August 3 to 9, the boys' under-16 team will also compete in the World Championship in Croatia, drawn into a challenging group with the Netherlands, Ukraine, Brazil, and Russia, which is returning to international competition after a long absence. Meanwhile, the girls' under-18 team will take part in the World Championship in Tenerife, Spain, from August 16 to 23, competing in a group with Zimbabwe and South Africa.

In addition to the World Championships, two European tournaments will take place. The women's under-20 team will compete in Portugal from August 1 to 8, drawn into a difficult group with European champion Spain, runner-up Greece, and Italy, which finished fourth in the previous championship. Despite the tough draw, Israel enters the tournament with confidence, having finished among the top eight in the last European Championship, securing a place in the tournament's top tier. The men's under-20 team will also compete in Portugal but in the second tier, aiming to finish in the top two of their group to advance to the elite level. Their group includes Ukraine, Switzerland, Britain, and Belgium, while Russia returns to compete in the parallel group.

The return of Russian teams to European water polo competitions marks a significant development, as they have been absent since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in February 2022. The Israeli Water Polo Association views this summer as a critical test of the sport's growth in Israel, highlighting years of investment in nurturing young talent. Rona Freund Amitzur, Chairwoman of the Israeli Water Polo Association, expressed pride in the five youth teams representing Israel, emphasizing a humble yet confident approach to competing against the world's best. CEO Dana Tretzki Gatou noted that the participation of so many young athletes reflects long-term efforts in clubs and coaching, aiming not only for results but also to build a strong future generation to represent Israel with honor.