List of World Aquatics Championships men's water polo tournament records and statistics

This is a list of records and statistics of the men's water polo tournament at the World Aquatics Championships since the inaugural official edition in 1973.

All-time best performances
This is a summary of the best performances of each confederation at the World Aquatics Championships.


 * Legend
 * * – Host team
 * † – Defunct team

Debut of teams

 * Legend
 * * – Host team
 * † – Defunct team

Results of host teams and defending finalists

 * Legend
 * † – Defunct team

Team records
Teams having equal quantities in the tables below are ordered by the tournament the quantity was attained in (the teams that attained the quantity first are listed first). If the quantity was attained by more than one team in the same tournament, these teams are ordered alphabetically.

Tournament positions
 * Most titles won: 4, (1978, 1994, 2011, 2019);  (1973, 2003, 2013, 2023).
 * Most finishes in the top two: 11, (1973, 1975, 1978, 1982, 1998, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2013, 2017, 2023).
 * Most finishes in the top three: 12, (1973, 1975, 1978, 1982, 1991, 1998, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2013, 2017, 2023).
 * Most finishes in the top four: 14, (1973, 1975, 1978, 1982, 1991, 1998, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2013, 2017, 2019, 2023).
 * Most appearances: 20,, , , (have participated in every tournament).

Consecutive
 * Most consecutive medals: 7, (2007–2009–2011–2013–2015–2017–2019).
 * Most consecutive golds: 2, (1998–2001);  (1986–1991).
 * Most consecutive silvers: 3, (1975–1978–1982).
 * Most consecutive bronzes: 3, (2009–2011–2013).
 * Most consecutive finishes in the top four: 9, (2005–2007–2009–2011–2013–2015–2017–2019–2022).
 * Most consecutive appearances: 21,, , , (have participated in every tournament).

Gaps
 * Longest gap between successive titles: 30 years, (1973–2003).
 * Longest gap between successive appearances in the top two: 16 years, (1982–1998).
 * Longest gap between successive appearances in the top three: 10 years, (2005–2015);  (2009–2019).
 * Longest gap between successive appearances in the top four: 18 years, (1991–2009).
 * Longest gap between successive appearances: 26 years, (1991–2017).

Host team
 * Best finish by host team: Champion: (1994).

Other
 * Most finishes in the top two without ever being champion: 1, (2013);  (2023).
 * Most finishes in the top three without ever being champion: 4, (2005, 2015, 2022, 2023).
 * Most finishes in the top four without ever being champion: 6, (2003, 2005, 2015, 2017, 2022, 2023).
 * Most finishes in the top four without ever being medaled: 3, (1986, 1991, 2009).