Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
Women’s water polo made its Olympic debut at the 2000 Sydney Games after pressure to include women’s events, with host nation Australia winning the inaugural tournament featuring six teams. This victory raised the sport's prestige, especially for women’s sports in Australia. The 2000 Australian team will be honored ahead of the World Cup event with induction into the Water Polo Australia Hall of Fame. Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre (SOPAC), also the site of the 1995 FINA Women’s World Cup, remains a historic venue and now hosts its fourth major tournament with the 2026 Women’s World Cup, stirring substantial anticipation for the event.
The 2026 World Cup season began with the Division II tournament in Malta, where Russia defeated China 18-17 in a final that was largely inconsequential since both teams had already qualified. Canada and Croatia were the semifinalists who did not advance. In the Division I series in Rotterdam, reigning champions Greece and Japan finished seventh and eighth, respectively, a notable result given Greece’s prior World Cup and World Aquatics Championships success.
From Rotterdam, the United States and the Netherlands emerged as leading contenders, boasting a combined 13 World Cup titles and now aiming for further wins in Sydney. Olympic champion Spain finished third in Rotterdam, while Italy came in fourth. Australia ranked fifth, and Hungary also competed in the tournament.