ICF Canoe Polo Committee activities Q1 2026

The 2026 ICF Canoe Polo World Championships, scheduled to run from September 15 to 20 in Duisburg, Germany will be the 16-edition of the biannual event. It will see both the senior and U21 World Championships overlap each other. 

Past World Championships results

Qualification, in part, is determined by finishing positions at the previous World Championships, at each Continental Championships in the preceding year, and with additional wildcard/s available in each category from the ICF Canoe Polo Committee. 

With qualification to the final rounds limited to a maximum of 76 teams and with the wildcard acceptance date closing on March 31 there are 75 teams confirmed with the last place sitting with Iran U21 men whose entry at the time of writing is unclear. Only time will make their participation clearer and with Canada, Brazil and Ireland all wanting this last spot clarification on Iran’s participation or otherwise will be sought soon. 

Greg Smale, Chair of the ICF Canoe Polo Committee, said: “Sometimes we are asked why such early dates for entry confirmation? For pre-qualified teams, this is January 10. For wildcards, this is March 31. This gives organisers the maximum opportunity to effectively plan ahead knowing team numbers. This year we’ve received positive feedback from early wildcards and clarification to the host organisers that 50, maybe more, teams will have their own transportation. This aids financial planning and allows focus to be on areas of delivery such as livestream broadcasting etc. 

“With 75 confirmed teams this equates to circa 750 persons registered on SDP plus, ITO’s, commentators and key officials. I think there are still a large number of people who have a view of Canoe Polo as young people drifting around in a pool with not very good paddling techniques etc. This is so far from present day Canoe Polo where exceptionally fit athletes showcase amazing paddle skills. We should all remember when we first started to paddle and how difficult it was to go in a straight line. To add a ball, increase the speed perhaps 10-fold, add tackling and being deliberately pushed over by the opponent – Canoe Polo has developed over the years into an incredibly competitive discipline.” 

We look forward to seeing all the teams and spectators in Duisburg in September. 

Development  

To assist in development of International Technical Officials (ITO) the Canoe Polo Committee has submitted a development plan to the ICF which is presently being enhanced and will include continued equality development, beginners and top ITOs/referees. 

Part of this plan is being implemented at the World Championships this year. Volunteer mentors from the existing ITO group from France, Great Britain, Ireland Italy, New Zealand and Singapore will provide 1-1 mentoring of new/developing referees from Canada, China, Iran (visa permitting), Malaysia, Netherlands and New Zealand. These mentors will assist, support and generally be a safe person to talk to in order for the ITO to get maximum development during the intense championships. 

Additionally, as per ICF media releases, the Canoe Polo Committee is pleased to have started the release of a new series of short educational video clips focused on basic Canoe Polo techniques.

Educational videos

The 25-clip series consist of short, high-quality, and easy-to-follow video clips, offering a clear and practical introduction to the sport. The content is especially aimed at beginners, young athletes, and coaches, while also serving as a useful technical reference for the broader Canoe Polo community. It is being published in two languages – English and Spanish – and is completely free of charge and used in part the kayak label monies. 

The videos were recorded during the 2024 ICF Canoe Polo World Championships, held in Deqing, China, providing an outstanding competitive and technical environment that reflects the highest level of the sport. 

The clips are proving to be very popular with all being posted onto the ICF YouTube channel with links at present just from Facebook. 

Viewing figures indicate how popular these are: 

The Canoe Polo Committee would like to express its sincere gratitude to all the athletes who participated in the recordings, as well as to the coaches and technical staff who made these sessions possible through their cooperation and support. 

We hope you will find them interesting and educational and that they help you as an athlete and/or your club to develop your personal paddle skills and Canoe Polo.

Rules

Rule changes for commencement January 2027 are a little delayed due to the cancellation of the recent ICF Board of Directors meeting is Azerbaijan but will be finalised early May in Budapest.  

Greg Smale, Chair of the ICF Canoe Polo Committee, added: “In the main the rule changes arise from the online seminar held in January 2025 after the last World Championships to which all world’s teams were invited. The seminar, called ‘Shaping the Future of Canoe Polo: Rules Briefing and Innovation Discussion’, included 27 persons plus one guest and the ICF Canoe Polo Committee. Those that participated were in the vast majority constructive and it gave a direction of focus for the Canoe Polo Committee and again all those that participated are thanked for their input which has shaped these new rule changes.” 

By Greg Smale, Chair of the ICF Canoe Polo Committee