Ottawa, March 24, 2026 - Water Polo Canada is proud to announce the final roster for its Senior Men’s National Team competing at the World Aquatics Men’s Water Polo World Cup 2026 (Division 2), taking place April 7–13 in Malta. Water Polo Canada is also pleased to release the long list for its Senior Women’s National Team, from which the roster for the World Aquatics Women’s Water Polo World Cup 2026 (Division 2), held April 20–26 in Malta, will be selected.
Both Senior National Teams (men and women) will participate in pre-World Cup 2026 (Division 2) preparations. The Men’s Team will take part in an invitational preparatory tournament and camp in Slovakia whereas the Women’s Team will complete final preparations in Athens, Greece.
The Canadian Senior Men’s National Team will be comprised of 16 athletes and will include 10 players who attended the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.
“We’re incredibly excited for the upcoming World Cup 2 event” said Water Polo Canada’s Senior Men’s National Team Head Coach Pat Oaten. It's a valuable opportunity to see several athletes play in their first official games for Canada, and at the same time seeing how this group gels and performs together as a team. This will provide the coaching staff with an opportunity to get a clearer picture of our collective identity. This tournament is an important step in understanding where we are and what we need to build on as we continue our journey towards Los Angeles 2028.”
The preliminary (or “League”) phase of the competition for the Canadian Men will include the following games:
The full schedule is available at https://www.worldaquatics.com/competitions/5135/men-s-water-polo-world-cup-2026-division-2/schedule?phase=All
The Canadian Senior Women’s National Team will be comprised of 17 athletes, with 15 athletes attending the event. For many of these athletes, it will be their Senior National Team debut.
“We are all very excited and look forward to competing in the World Cup Division II”, said Water Polo Canada’s Senior Women’s National Team Head Coach Kyriaki Liosi. “This group combines experience with emerging talent, and we see this as a great opportunity to keep building as a team. Our focus is on coming together, showing consistency, and laying strong foundations for what’s ahead.”
The preliminary (or “League”) phase of the competition for the Canadian Women will include the following games:
The full schedule is available at https://www.worldaquatics.com/competitions/5133/women-s-water-polo-world-cup-2026-division-2/schedule?phase=All
Evan Andrews and Hélène Painchaud will be attending the World Aquatics Men’s Water Polo World Cup 2026 (Division 2) and World Aquatics Women’s Water Polo World Cup 2026 (Division 2) respectively as referees.
Water Polo Canada wishes to sincerely thank the generous donors who, along with support from the government of Canada, make it possible to send our Teams to such critical international competitions, and support our athletes in their steadfast pursuit of excellence. Water Polo Canada continues to accept donations through our website at https://waterpolocanada.crowdchange.co/.
World Aquatics Men's Water Polo World Cup 2026, Division 2
Coaches
Pat Oaten (Pointe-Claire, QC) - Head Coach
Gyula Toth (Calgary, AB) - Assistant Coach
Support Staff
Mitch Kaufman (Kitchener, ON) - Team Leader / Manager
Sunny Marshall (Toronto, ON) - Athletic Therapist (IST)
World Aquatics Women's Water Polo World Cup 2026, Division
Coaches
Kyriaki Liosi (Vouliagmeni, GRE) - Head Coach
Marina Radu-Johnson (Edmonton, AB) - Assistant Coach
Support Staff
Mitch Kaufman (Kitchener, ON) - Team Leader / Manager
Danaée Vachon (Montréal, QC) - Athletic Therapist (IST)
16U National Championships
Surrey, BC
Guildford Recreation Centre
18U National Championships
Markham, ON
Markham Pan Am Centre
