In order to reduce the field from 21 teams to 16 for the round-robin pools, two eliminating rounds were used.

For wins, 2 standings points were awarded; draws were worth 1 and losses 0.

The first-round match between the Netherlands and Yugoslavia had been invalidated due to a successful protest.

The replay of that match took place at the end of the semifinal pool and was effectively an elimination match: the winner would join Hungary in advancing to the final, with the loser moving to the classification round.

[3] The first round game between Italy and the United States and the semifinal match between Yugoslavia and Hungary counted for the final pool.