The 1986 Men's World Water Polo Championship was the fifth edition of the men's water polo tournament at the World Aquatics Championships, organised by the world governing body in aquatics, the FINA. The tournament was held from 13 to 23 August 1986, and was incorporated into the 1986 World Aquatics Championships in Madrid, Spain.
This was the only men's world championship to have featured fifteen teams instead of the usual sixteen. Yugoslavia won its first title by defeating Italy in the final. The Soviet Union, the defending champion, came third.
Preliminary round results apply.
Preliminary round results apply.
Preliminary round results apply.
Preliminary round results apply.
Results of previous rounds apply.
Results of previous rounds apply.
Results of previous rounds apply.