MONGOLIAN WATER POLO TEAM MAKES HISTORY AT THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN DUBROVNIK

DUBROVNIK, CROATIA – SEPTEMBER 1, 2026

The Mongolian national water polo team is representing Mongolia at the World Aquatics Water Polo 4×4 Open Championships 2026, currently taking place in Dubrovnik, Croatia.

The tournament is particularly significant as it marks the first-ever World Championships in the Water Polo 4×4 format. The competition is being held from August 31 to September 6, 2026, at a specially constructed venue on the sea at the historic Old Town Harbour in Dubrovnik.

Mongolia’s participation in the global debut of this new World Aquatics competition format is a historic milestone for Mongolian water polo. Mongolia and Lithuania are among the first countries to compete on the world stage in this new format.

Water Polo 4×4 is a new format designed to deliver a faster and more intense style of play than traditional water polo. Each team consists of eight players, while four players — three field players and one goalkeeper — are in the water during play. The playing area measures 15 x 12 metres, and each period lasts five minutes.

Mongolia vs. Serbia: Historic Opening Match

The Mongolian national team played its opening match of the tournament against Serbia, the reigning Olympic champions from the last three Olympic Games, and lost the match 0–3.

Although Mongolia faced a challenging opponent in Serbia, one of the world’s leading water polo nations, participation in this historic tournament represents an important opportunity for Mongolian athletes to gain valuable international experience, learn the characteristics and tactical demands of the new 4×4 format, and take an important step toward the further development of water polo in Mongolia.