Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The 2024 World Aquatics Men's U18 Water Polo Championship features 20 qualifying nations split into two divisions. Division 1 consists of the top eight teams based on the World Aquatics Men's U18 Water Polo Rankings: Spain, Hungary, China, Montenegro, the United States, Croatia, Italy, and Serbia. These teams are divided into Groups A and B, each with four teams.
Group A, seen as highly competitive, includes Hungary, Croatia, Montenegro, and Serbia—four European water polo powers. Hungary won gold at the previous championship in Buenos Aires in 2024, with Serbia and Montenegro taking silver and bronze, making this group a highlight of intense rivalry.
Group B features the other Division 1 teams: China, Spain, the United States, and Italy, all aiming to reach the podium.
Division 2 includes 12 teams organized into four groups: Group C (Colombia, Singapore, New Zealand), Group D (Turkiye, Hong Kong China, Brazil), Group E (South Africa, Greece, Australia), and Group F (Portugal, Argentina, Canada). Portugal hosts the U18 men’s championship for the first time, with matches at the Rio Maior Sports Centre, Portugal's High Performance Swim Centre. The Portuguese team hopes local support boosts their chances of advancing past the group stage and into the knockout rounds.
Historically, Hungary is the only nation with multiple gold medals in this age group, claiming three golds along with silver and bronze medals in previous editions. Croatia, Greece, and Italy have also won gold, while Serbia, Spain, Montenegro, and Russia have appeared on the podium. Notably, the 2009 tournament in Sibenik, Croatia, was played as 18 & Under before returning to a 20 & Under format two years later.