1978 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship

The Volleyball World Championship for Men 1978 was held from 20 September to 1 October in Italy. The Soviet Union won the title for the fifth time. The Games were held in Rome, Bergamo, Udine, Venice, Parma and Ancona.

Mode

The 24 participants played in the first round in six groups of four. The top two teams in each group were in the second group, two groups of six, the remaining teams played a round with own also two groups of six. The results from the direct duels of the first round were taken on. The four best teams in the second round determined the new world champion in the semifinals and final. The other teams also played in knockout tournaments from the ranks of five to 24.

The new world champion would have qualified for the Olympic Games in 1980, for the volleyball World Cup 1981. Since the Soviet Union, however, was the host of the Olympic tournament as the winner of which received a starting place for the World Cup, the world championship silver medalist Italy took over the space each.

Schedule

First round

Second round (1-12)

Second Round ( 13-24 )

Placement matches

Full Time

Qualification

Hosts Italy and the twelve best teams in the last World Cup qualified automatically. The remaining starting places there were for the top ranked teams in the last continental tournaments. At the European Championships in 1977 three starting places were awarded. From the other continents, two additional representatives to the finals, which were determined in Asia and Africa, and in 1977 NORCECA Association and in South America in 1976 came. Later Yugoslavia were replaced by Finland and Puerto Rico by the United States.