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

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

Following closely, from August 3 to 9, the boys' under-16 team will also participate 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. The under-18 girls' team will compete in the World Championship held in Tenerife, Spain, from August 16 to 23, grouped with Zimbabwe and South Africa.

In parallel, two European Championship tournaments will take place. The women's under-20 team will compete in Portugal from August 1 to 8, placed in a difficult group with European champion Spain, runner-up Greece, and Italy. Despite the tough draw, the team enters with confidence after finishing among the top eight in the previous 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, which includes Ukraine, Switzerland, Britain, and Belgium, to advance to the elite division. Russia's return to European competition after more than four years is a notable development, although they are not in Israel's group.

The Israeli Water Polo Association views this summer as a critical test of the sport's development in the country. Significant investments in youth training have led to this broad representation on the international stage. Rona Freund Amitzur, chairperson of the association, expressed pride in the five youth teams representing Israel and confidence in their ability to compete and gain valuable experience. CEO Dana Tertsky Gatou emphasized the long-term investment in clubs, coaches, and young athletes, aiming not only for competitive results but also to build a strong future generation for Israeli water polo.