Croatia at the Top of the World Aquatics Ranking - Croatian Water Polo Federation
Beautiful, but if you ask us, expected news for Croatian water polo from the headquarters of the International Aquatic Sports Organization.
In the newly established ranking of the most successful national water polo teams in the world, the World Aquatics Ranking (similar to the FIFA ranking in soccer), Croatia holds the first place or the best ranking in the world!
The International Aquatic Sports Organization (World Aquatics) has set up a new scoring system and a new ranking of national teams since January 2025. There are a series of parameters on how each match is scored and to what extent. Parameters include whether it is a win or a loss; the ranking of the opponent at the moment of the match; whether the game was played at home, away, or on neutral ground; and the level of competition. It is clear that the highest value in competitions comes from the Olympic Games and World Championships, followed by continental championships and the World Cup, and so on to friendly matches.
This scoring system applies from January 2024, considering the period of European teams from the European Championships in Dubrovnik and Zagreb, with official results now disclosed at the beginning of June.
Based on all these parameters, each carrying a specific number of points, the current top team in the world, the team with the highest rating is - Croatia!
| 1. | Croatia | 1,275.80 points | 28 matches |
| 2. | Spain | 1,265.40 points | 29 matches |
| 3. | Hungary | 1,046.20 points | 28 matches |
| 4. | Greece | 1,025.80 points | 29 matches |
| 5. | Serbia | 992.40 points | 26 matches |
| 6. | USA | 904.60 points | 27 matches |
| 7. | Italy | 895.00 points | 21 matches |
| 8. | Montenegro | 622.40 points | 28 matches |
| 9. | France | 553.20 points | 23 matches |
| 10. | Brazil | 517.85 points | 18 matches |
It is not surprising to remember that Croatia won silver at the European Championships in our country in January 2024. A month later, the Barakudas became world champions in Doha, and in the summer of 2024, they played in the final at the Olympic Games in Paris, winning a silver medal. The only team to reach all three major finals in one year, actually in practically half a year. This year, Croatia finished 4th in the World Cup.
It is also noticeable that despite playing one game less than Spain, the Barakudas have 10.40 more points in the observed period. Among the top 10 teams in the world, Brazil played the fewest matches since January 2024, while all other teams played a similar number of matches. Italy is somewhat of an exception with 21 matches, but for understandable reasons. The Italians were suspended for 6 months after the Olympic Games in Paris.
Yet, on the World Aquatics Ranking, alongside number 1, it clearly reads - Croatia!
