The 1997 FINA Men's Water Polo World Cup was the tenth edition of the event, organised by the world's governing body in aquatics, the International Swimming Federation (FINA). The event took place in Athens, Greece. Eight teams participated to decide the winner of what would be a bi-annual event until 1999.

Teams

The top eight teams from the previous Olympic Games have qualified.

Seeding

Following ranking of the 1996 Olympics Games

Groups

Preliminary round

GROUP A

GROUP B

5th–8th place semifinals

Semi-finals

Seventh place

Fifth place

Third place

FINAL

Final ranking