Croatia men’s national under-18 water polo team claimed the 2026 U18 World Championship title after defeating United States men’s national under-18 water polo team 15-13 in the final, capping an outstanding tournament with an unbeaten record.
Croatia built an early advantage before the opponent fought back to level the score during a dramatic final. The Croatian side regained control in the closing stages, producing a composed finish to secure the gold medal and confirm their status as the world’s best under-18 team.
The victory marks another major success for Croatia’s renowned water polo system, which continues to produce world-class talent across all age categories. The latest triumph reinforces the country’s reputation as one of the sport’s global powerhouses and highlights the strength of its youth development programme.
Individual accolades also followed Croatia’s title run, with several players earning places in the tournament’s All-Star Team, while the championship further underlined the bright future of Croatian water polo on the international stage.
