World Aquatics ready to host World Cup in Russia

The International Aquatics Federation (World Aquatics) is ready to hold the World Championships in Moscow or St. Petersburg, Dmitry Mazepin, president of the Russian Aquatics Federation (FVSR), said at a press conference.

Just yesterday I spoke on the phone with World Aquatics President Hussein Al-Musallam. He said he was ready to consider hosting the World Cup in Russia, but on one condition: it should be Moscow or St. Petersburg. Kazan has already hosted major competitions, and World Aquatics does not want to return to the same city several times in a short period of time, Mazepin said.

Since 2024, World Aquatics began to soften the conditions for the admission of Russians to tournaments under its auspices: first, athletes were allowed in neutral status in individual forms (one in the discipline), then synchronists were allowed, and in November 2025 - water polo players (the first admission of Russians in team games).

In December 2025, the IOC recommended lifting restrictions on Russian juniors, but maintaining the same conditions (neutral status and individual species) for adults.

On April 13, World Aquatics announced the restoration of membership of Russia and Belarus and the admission of athletes of the two countries under national flags.

The first ever World Championship in water sports in Russia was held in 2015. The tournament was held in Kazan from July 24 to August 9. The program included swimming, diving, synchronized swimming, water polo, open water swimming and high diving. After that, Russia did not host the World Cup.