Despite being the defending gold medalists, the United States did not make it to Athens after losing a qualifying game to Mexico, 1–0.

The qualifying rounds were also scheduled in such a way that the United States could not even use minor-leaguers and had to rely on collegians instead.

[citation needed] Many American ballplayers made it to Athens anyway, as members of the nascent Greek team, which featured only one player actually born in Greece.

[citation needed] The absence of such teams as the USA, Mexico, the Dominican Republic and South Korea led to much media discussion.

The top four teams (Japan, Cuba, Canada and Australia) advanced to the semifinals.