U16 Men Open World Aquatics Championships Campaign

The New Zealand Men's U16 National Water Polo team is gearing up for the 2026 World Aquatics Men's U16 Water Polo Championships, set to take place from 3rd of August to 9th of August 2026 in Zagreb, Croatia. This prestigious tournament will feature 36 teams from across the globe!

Building momentum in Herceg Novi

As part of their final preparations for the World Championships, the team has spent the past week in Herceg Novi, Montenegro, taking part in a high-quality training camp. The squad faced PVK Jadran's top 17- and 18-year-old athletes in a series of valuable scrimmages, giving the players the opportunity to compete against older, experienced opposition while refining combinations and adapting to the intensity of European water polo ahead of the tournament.

Paul Swindells, Head Coach, reflected on the team's preparation:

"After a successful week of training in Herceg Novi, Montenegro, the team has now arrived in Zagreb, Croatia, ready our first U16 World Championship match against Portugal. The group is focused and excited to finally get this competition underway. Not even the 38-degree heat is going to slow them down."

Looking ahead to the World Championships, Swindells added:

"This squad has worked tirelessly for nearly two years to reach this moment–initially under the guidance of Rahiti Teokotai-White and Tim Chambers, before Liam Paterson, James Ross and I were invited to complete the final preparation phase for this event. Their commitment has been outstanding, their growth undeniable, and now it's time to perform on the world stage!"

New Zealand will play Portugal, Canada, Peru, and Brazil in the group stage of the tournament.

• Monday, 3 August – 11:05 PM NZST – New Zealand vs Portugal
• Wednesday, 5 August – 3:30 AM NZST – Canada vs New Zealand
• Wednesday, 5 August – 6:35 PM NZST – New Zealand vs Peru
• Thursday, 6 August – 9:30 PM NZST – Brazil vs New Zealand

(Remaining fixtures to be confirmed)

36 teams compete in a three-day league phase, with each team playing three matches. Teams are then ranked 1–36, with the top 32 progressing to a knockout bracket to determine places 1–32. The remaining four teams contest a round-robin placement group to determine the final rankings from 33rd–36th.

Watch live

Each match of the 2026 World Aquatics Men's U16 Water Polo Championships will be streamed LIVE and FREE on the World Aquatics YouTube Channel - make sure to tune in and support our New Zealand national team!

Stay connected

For updates throughout the tournament — including results and highlights — stay in the loop via the links below:

• Instagram: @waterpolonz

• Facebook: Water Polo New Zealand

• Website: www.nzwaterpolo.org.nz

• World Aquatics: https://www.worldaquatics.com/competitions/5139/world-aquatics-men-s-u16-water-polo-championships-2026

Get behind the team and stay informed as they represent Aotearoa on the global stage!

New Zealand Men's U16 National Water Polo team:

Team list: 

• Caden FUATIMAU (Marist)
• Chase DAVIES (Tauranga)
• Connor TURVER (North Harbour)
• Edward PERRY (North Harbour)
• Gianni GOLA (Marist)
• Hugo TUFFERY (Harbour City)
• Isaac CORNFORD (Marist)
• Isaiah HORNIBROOK (Marist)
• Jonah TEOKOTAI (Canterbury)
• Kenrich SHEK (North Harbour)
• Luca MAYALL (Waikato)
• Oliver JONES (Tauranga)
• Oliver MCGUINNESS (Sea Wolf)
• Oliver SCOTT (Waikato)

Non-travelling reserves: Archie MURPHY (Harbour City), Connor HUTTON (Canterbury), Dylan TUKIA (Sea Wolf), Ezra GOWER (Marist), Isaac EPPLETT (North Harbour), Nathan SINGLETON (Waikato)

Support staff: Paul SWINDELLS, Liam PATERSON, James ROSS