Water polo at the 1980 Summer Olympics as usual was a part of the swimming sport, other two parts were swimming and diving.

They were not three separate sports, because they all were governed by one federation — FINA.

Water Polo discipline consisted of one event: men's team.

In the preliminary round 12 teams were divided into three groups.

The rest of teams played in Group B of the final round to determine places 7 through 12.