Similar to the previous edition, twenty-two teams (twelve for men and ten for women) competed against each other in their respective tournaments.

[4][5] The 2023 World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, produced the winners and runners-up of the men's and women's water polo tournament, qualifying for Paris 2024.

Five further quota places were awarded to the highest-ranked eligible NOC at each of the continental meets (Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania) approved by World Aquatics.

If any of the continental meets did not occur within the qualifying period, the vacant spot was entitled to the highest-ranked eligible NOC from a respective continent at the succeeding edition of the Worlds.

[4] To complete the water polo roster for the Games, the final batch of quota places were assigned to the four highest-ranked eligible NOCs for men and two for women at the 2024 World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar.