[2] Of the 12 teams that competed in 2016, 8 qualified to return, including all four semifinalists (winner South Korea, silver medalist the United States, bronze medalist Australia, and fourth-place finisher China).

The other teams from 2016 that qualified to return were the Netherlands, France, Indonesia, and Chinese Taipei.

Kazakhstan qualified to return for the first time since 2000; Japan, Great Britain, and India competed in 2012.

The top 8 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) at the 2019 World Archery Championships qualified.

One place was reserved for the host, Japan; the 2021 Archery Final Olympic Qualification Tournament would award either three or four places depending on whether Japan qualified through the World Championships.