The Ukrainian national water polo team was awarded a technical loss for refusing to play against the Russians

The Ukrainian water polo team was awarded a technical defeat in the seventh-place match at the World Cup in Division II due to its official refusal to take the field against the Russian team. 

This was reported by World Aquatics. The match was scheduled to take place today, April 13, 2026, in Malta.

The Ukrainian team found itself in the match for seventh place after losing to Australia in the semifinals of the 5th–8th place tournament, while the Russians lost to the Romanian national team at the same stage. For the Russian team, this competition marked their first tournament under the auspices of World Aquatics since their suspension in 2022. The Ukrainian side had previously confirmed its principled stance regarding the impossibility of holding sporting events with representatives of the aggressor country.

World Aquatics became the first organization to allow athletes from the aggressor country to participate in international tournaments under neutral status in team sports, contrary to the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee.

The International Olympic Committee declined to comment on statements by the Russian Minister of Sport and Chairman of the Russian Olympic Committee, Mikhail Degtyarev, who publicly supports the war against Ukraine.

Additionally, a Russian cycling champion was disqualified for doping.