The 24 competing teams were split equally into six pools of four, and each team played each of the other teams in their pool a best of three set match (so that the number of pool matches, P, played by each team was 3).
The teams in each pool were ranked first through fourth based on the number of matches won, W. In the event of a two-way tie, the winning team in the head-to-head match finished ahead. In a three-team tie, the total number of points each team won and lost during all matches involving only the three tied teams were added up, and the bottom-ranked team of the three was decided by the points for to points against ratio; the other two teams were then ranked according to the outcome of the head-to-head match. The top two teams from each pool and the four best third placed teams (based on: first, matches won; second (in the event of a tie), set ratio SF/SA; and third (if there is still a tie), points ratio PF/PA) progressed through to the round of sixteen (single elimination tournament).
Two points (Pts) were awarded for each match win (W) and one point was given for each loss (L). In individual matches, all winners are shown in bold. In group tables, advancing teams are highlighted.
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Kerri Walsh and Misty May (USA) 
Eva Celbová and Sona Nováková (CZE) 
Ryoko Tokuno and Chiaki Kusuhara (JPN) 
Rebekka Kadijk and Marrit Leenstra (NED) 
Shelda Bede and Adriana Behar (BRA) 
Dalixia Fernández and Tamara Larrea (CUB) 
Daniela Gattelli and Lucilla Perrotta (ITA) 
Leigh Ann Naidoo and Julia Willand (RSA) 
Susanne Lahme and Danja Müsch (GER) 
Vassiliki Arvaniti and Efthalia Koutroumanidou (GRE) 
Nila Håkedal and Ingrid Tørlen (NOR) 
Guylaine Dumont and Annie Martin (CAN) 
Nicole Schnyder and Simone Kuhn (SUI) 
Natalie Cook and Nicole Sanderson (AUS) 
Tzvetelina Yanchulova and Petia Yanchulova (BUL) 
Wang Lu and You Wenhui (CHN) 
Mayra García and Hilda Gaxiola (MEX) 
McPeak & Youngs 
Walsh & May 
