The ten men's teams were divided into two equal groups for a single round robin group stage. The top four teams of each group advanced to the quarter finals. All matches in the second stage were knock-out format.
The ten women's teams were divided into two equal groups for a single round robin group stage. The top four teams of each group advanced to the quarter finals. All matches in the second stage were knock-out format.
The Algerian women's team did not show up in time for its matches against the United States or Israel. The team missed connecting flights in Rome after setting out from a training camp in Poland. There were suspicions of a boycott. The International Paralympic Committee's spokesman, Craig Spence, said: "They are still sticking to their story that they suffered the worst transport issues known to man. Whether we believe it is a question mark and we are looking into it."[5] Their first two games were recorded as 10–0 walkover wins for the other team.[5] The team of Algeria arrived in Rio on 11 September. Spence remarked: "Fingers crossed they can manage to travel from the (Athletes') Village to the goalball venue in less than six days."[5]
^China originally qualified on the World Games. However, when China took the Asia/Pacific qualifying place, the World Games place was given to the next highest ranked team, Germany.
^Russia had originally qualified as World Championship silver medalist. With the country's ban from the Games, Australia inherited a berth as the next-ranked team from the World Games.
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