# 1978 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship

The 1978 FIVB Men's World Championship was the ninth edition of the tournament, organised by the world's governing body, the FIVB. It was held from 20 September 1 to October 1978 in Italy.

## Qualification

| Means of qualification | Date | Host | Vacancies | Qualified |
| Host Country | — | — | 1 | Italy |
| 1974 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship | 12–28 October 1974 | Mexico | 12 | Poland |
| 1974 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship | 12–28 October 1974 | Mexico | 12 | Soviet Union |
| 1974 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship | 12–28 October 1974 | Mexico | 12 | Japan |
| 1974 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship | 12–28 October 1974 | Mexico | 12 | East Germany |
| 1974 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship | 12–28 October 1974 | Mexico | 12 | Czechoslovakia |
| 1974 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship | 12–28 October 1974 | Mexico | 12 | Romania |
| 1974 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship | 12–28 October 1974 | Mexico | 12 | Bulgaria |
| 1974 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship | 12–28 October 1974 | Mexico | 12 | Cuba |
| 1974 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship | 12–28 October 1974 | Mexico | 12 | Brazil |
| 1974 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship | 12–28 October 1974 | Mexico | 12 | Mexico |
| 1974 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship | 12–28 October 1974 | Mexico | 12 | Belgium |
| 1974 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship | 12–28 October 1974 | Mexico | 12 | Netherlands |
| 1977 Men's European Volleyball Championship | 25 Sep – 2 Oct 1977 | Finland | 3 | Hungary |
| 1977 Men's European Volleyball Championship | 25 Sep – 2 Oct 1977 | Finland | 3 | Yugoslavia Finland* |
| 1977 Men's European Volleyball Championship | 25 Sep – 2 Oct 1977 | Finland | 3 | France |
| Asian Qualifier | 16–21 November 1976 | Hong Kong | 2 | South Korea |
| Asian Qualifier | 16–21 November 1976 | Hong Kong | 2 | China |
| 1977 Men's NORCECA Volleyball Championship | 23–30 April 1977 | Santo Domingo | 2 | Canada |
| 1977 Men's NORCECA Volleyball Championship | 23–30 April 1977 | Santo Domingo | 2 | Puerto Rico United States* |
| 1977 Men's South American Volleyball Championship | 26 Feb – 5 Mar 1977 | Lima | 2 | Venezuela |
| 1977 Men's South American Volleyball Championship | 26 Feb – 5 Mar 1977 | Lima | 2 | Argentina |
| 1976 Men's African Volleyball Championship | 1976 | Tunis | 2 | Egypt |
| 1976 Men's African Volleyball Championship | 1976 | Tunis | 2 | Tunisia |
| Total | Total | Total | 24 | |

## Venues

| Pool A, G, H and Final round | Pool B | RomeBergamoUdineVeniceParmaAnconaclass=notpageimage| 1978 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship (Italy) |
| Rome, Italy | Bergamo, Italy | RomeBergamoUdineVeniceParmaAnconaclass=notpageimage| 1978 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship (Italy) |
| Pool C | Pool D, I, J and Final round | RomeBergamoUdineVeniceParmaAnconaclass=notpageimage| 1978 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship (Italy) |
| Udine, Italy | Venice, Italy | RomeBergamoUdineVeniceParmaAnconaclass=notpageimage| 1978 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship (Italy) |
| Pool E | Pool F | RomeBergamoUdineVeniceParmaAnconaclass=notpageimage| 1978 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship (Italy) |
| Parma, Italy | Ancona, Italy | RomeBergamoUdineVeniceParmaAnconaclass=notpageimage| 1978 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship (Italy) |

## Teams
### Group A

* Belgium
* China
* Egypt
* Italy

### Group B

* Finland
* Mexico
* Poland
* Venezuela

### Group C

* Brazil
* France
* Soviet Union
* Tunisia

### Group D

* Argentina
* Cuba
* Hungary
* Japan

### Group E

* Bulgaria
* Canada
* East Germany
* Netherlands

### Group F

* Czechoslovakia
* Romania
* South Korea
* United States

## Results
### First round
#### Pool A

Location: Rome
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | Pts | SW | SL | SR | SPW | SPL | SPR | Qualification |
| 1 | Italy | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 1 | 9.000 | 141 | 84 | 1.679 | 1st–12th pools |
| 2 | China | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 1.750 | 145 | 116 | 1.250 | 1st–12th pools |
| 3 | Belgium | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 0.500 | 131 | 156 | 0.840 | 13th–24th pools |
| 4 | Egypt | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 0.222 | 98 | 159 | 0.616 | 13th–24th pools |
| Date | Time | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total |
| 20 Sep | 15:00 | Italy | 3–0 | Belgium | 15–6 | 15–5 | 15–11 | | | 45–22 |
| 20 Sep | 17:30 | China | 3–0 | Egypt | 15–13 | 15–6 | 15–6 | | | 45–25 |
| 21 Sep | | China | 3–1 | Belgium | 15–10 | 15–6 | 11–15 | 15–9 | | 56–40 |
| 21 Sep | | Italy | 3–0 | Egypt | 15–5 | 15–4 | 15–9 | | | 45–18 |
| 22 Sep | 17:30 | Belgium | 3–2 | Egypt | 17–15 | 15–1 | 10–15 | 12–15 | 15–9 | 69–55 |
| 22 Sep | 21:00 | Italy | 3–1 | China | 15–8 | 6–15 | 15–11 | 15–10 | | 51–44 |

#### Pool B

Location: Bergamo
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | Pts | SW | SL | SR | SPW | SPL | SPR | Qualification |
| 1 | Poland | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 1 | 9.000 | 148 | 75 | 1.973 | 1st–12th pools |
| 2 | Mexico | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 1.000 | 135 | 144 | 0.938 | 1st–12th pools |
| 3 | Venezuela | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 0.500 | 119 | 166 | 0.717 | 13th–24th pools |
| 4 | Finland | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 0.556 | 163 | 180 | 0.906 | 13th–24th pools |
| Date | Time | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total |
| 20 Sep | 17:30 | Mexico | 3–1 | Venezuela | 15–13 | 15–6 | 13–15 | 15–3 | | 58–37 |
| 20 Sep | 21:00 | Poland | 3–1 | Finland | 15–8 | 15–6 | 13–15 | 15–9 | | 58–38 |
| 21 Sep | | Poland | 3–0 | Venezuela | 15–4 | 15–7 | 15–12 | | | 45–23 |
| 21 Sep | | Mexico | 3–2 | Finland | 9–15 | 15–13 | 15–9 | 9–15 | 15–10 | 63–62 |
| 22 Sep | 17:30 | Venezuela | 3–2 | Finland | 15–11 | 7–15 | 7–15 | 15–13 | 15–9 | 59–63 |
| 22 Sep | 21:00 | Poland | 3–0 | Mexico | 15–3 | 15–7 | 15–4 | | | 45–14 |

#### Pool C

Location: Udine
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | Pts | SW | SL | SR | SPW | SPL | SPR | Qualification |
| 1 | Soviet Union | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 1 | 9.000 | 148 | 71 | 2.085 | 1st–12th pools |
| 2 | Brazil | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 1.750 | 151 | 125 | 1.208 | 1st–12th pools |
| 3 | France | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 0.667 | 106 | 121 | 0.876 | 13th–24th pools |
| 4 | Tunisia | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 0.000 | 47 | 135 | 0.348 | 13th–24th pools |
| Date | Time | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Total |
| 20 Sep | 17:30 | Brazil | 3–0 | Tunisia | 15–10 | 15–2 | 15–8 | | 45–20 |
| 20 Sep | 21:00 | Soviet Union | 3–0 | France | 15–6 | 15–6 | 15–2 | | 45–14 |
| 21 Sep | | France | 3–0 | Tunisia | 15–7 | 15–4 | 15–6 | | 45–17 |
| 21 Sep | | Soviet Union | 3–1 | Brazil | 11–15 | 17–15 | 15–8 | 15–9 | 58–47 |
| 22 Sep | 17:30 | Soviet Union | 3–0 | Tunisia | 15–1 | 15–2 | 15–7 | | 45–10 |
| 22 Sep | 21:00 | Brazil | 3–1 | France | 15–11 | 15–13 | 14–16 | 15–7 | 59–47 |

#### Pool D

Location: Venice
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | Pts | SW | SL | SR | SPW | SPL | SPR | Qualification |
| 1 | Cuba | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 1 | 9.000 | 147 | 83 | 1.771 | 1st–12th pools |
| 2 | Japan | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 1.750 | 150 | 110 | 1.364 | 1st–12th pools |
| 3 | Hungary | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 0.667 | 97 | 124 | 0.782 | 13th–24th pools |
| 4 | Argentina | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 0.000 | 58 | 135 | 0.430 | 13th–24th pools |
| Date | Time | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Total |
| 20 Sep | 17:30 | Cuba | 3–0 | Argentina | 15–1 | 15–10 | 15–8 | | 45–19 |
| 20 Sep | 21:00 | Japan | 3–1 | Hungary | 15–6 | 15–9 | 12–15 | 15–6 | 57–36 |
| 21 Sep | 15:00 | Cuba | 3–1 | Japan | 11–15 | 16–14 | 15–7 | 15–12 | 57–48 |
| 21 Sep | | Hungary | 3–0 | Argentina | 15–6 | 15–6 | 15–10 | | 45–22 |
| 22 Sep | 17:30 | Japan | 3–0 | Argentina | 15–3 | 15–3 | 15–11 | | 45–17 |
| 22 Sep | 21:00 | Cuba | 3–0 | Hungary | 15–1 | 15–9 | 15–6 | | 45–16 |

#### Pool E

Location: Parma
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | Pts | SW | SL | SR | SPW | SPL | SPR | Qualification |
| 1 | Bulgaria | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 1 | 9.000 | 146 | 78 | 1.872 | 1st–12th pools |
| 2 | East Germany | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 2.000 | 108 | 93 | 1.161 | 1st–12th pools |
| 3 | Netherlands | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 0.375 | 111 | 145 | 0.766 | 13th–24th pools |
| 4 | Canada | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 0.333 | 119 | 168 | 0.708 | 13th–24th pools |
| Date | Time | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total |
| 20 Sep | 17:30 | Bulgaria | 3–1 | Canada | 11–15 | 15–10 | 15–5 | 15–10 | | 56–40 |
| 20 Sep | 21:00 | East Germany | 3–0 | Netherlands | 15–11 | 15–6 | 15–7 | | | 45–24 |
| 21 Sep | | East Germany | 3–0 | Canada | 15–4 | 15–11 | 15–9 | | | 45–24 |
| 21 Sep | | Bulgaria | 3–0 | Netherlands | 15–5 | 15–7 | 15–8 | | | 45–20 |
| 22 Sep | 17:30 | Netherlands | 3–2 | Canada | 9–15 | 13–15 | 15–13 | 15–4 | 15–8 | 67–55 |
| 22 Sep | 21:00 | Bulgaria | 3–0 | East Germany | 15–8 | 15–4 | 15–6 | | | 45–18 |

#### Pool F

Location: Ancona
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | Pts | SW | SL | SR | SPW | SPL | SPR | Qualification |
| 1 | South Korea | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 3 | 3.000 | 170 | 126 | 1.349 | 1st–12th pools |
| 2 | Czechoslovakia | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 1.600 | 166 | 149 | 1.114 | 1st–12th pools |
| 3 | Romania | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 1.000 | 152 | 166 | 0.916 | 13th–24th pools |
| 4 | United States | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 0.000 | 93 | 140 | 0.664 | 13th–24th pools |
| Date | Time | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total |
| 20 Sep | 17:30 | Romania | 3–0 | United States | 17–15 | 15–8 | 18–16 | | | 50–39 |
| 20 Sep | 21:00 | South Korea | 3–2 | Czechoslovakia | 15–7 | 8–15 | 15–12 | 12–15 | 15–5 | 65–54 |
| 21 Sep | | Czechoslovakia | 3–0 | United States | 15–5 | 15–10 | 15–12 | | | 45–27 |
| 21 Sep | | South Korea | 3–1 | Romania | 14–16 | 16–14 | 15–3 | 15–12 | | 60–45 |
| 22 Sep | 15:00 | South Korea | 3–0 | United States | 15–8 | 15–11 | 15–8 | | | 45–27 |
| 22 Sep | 21:00 | Czechoslovakia | 3–2 | Romania | 15–11 | 15–12 | 14–16 | 8–15 | 15–3 | 67–57 |

### Second round

The results and the points of the matches between the same teams that were already played during the first round are taken into account for the second round.

#### 1st–12th pools
##### Pool G

Location: Rome
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | Pts | SW | SL | SR | SPW | SPL | SPR | Qualification |
| 1 | Soviet Union | 5 | 5 | 0 | 10 | 15 | 3 | 5.000 | 254 | 160 | 1.588 | Finals |
| 2 | Italy | 5 | 4 | 1 | 9 | 12 | 7 | 1.714 | 249 | 224 | 1.112 | Finals |
| 3 | China | 5 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 1.000 | 244 | 244 | 1.000 | 5th–8th places |
| 4 | Brazil | 5 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 0.909 | 277 | 261 | 1.061 | 5th–8th places |
| 5 | Bulgaria | 5 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 0.636 | 195 | 221 | 0.882 | 9th–12th places |
| 6 | East Germany | 5 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 15 | 0.200 | 150 | 259 | 0.579 | 9th–12th places |
| Date | Time | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total |
| 24 Sep | 11:00 | Bulgaria | 3–2 | China | 8–15 | 15–10 | 15–8 | 14–16 | 15–10 | 67–59 |
| 24 Sep | 14:30 | Soviet Union | 3–0 | East Germany | 15–3 | 15–7 | 15–11 | | | 45–21 |
| 24 Sep | 19:00 | Italy | 3–2 | Brazil | 14–16 | 15–12 | 10–15 | 15–10 | 17–15 | 71–68 |
| 25 Sep | 09:00 | Soviet Union | 3–1 | Bulgaria | 15–7 | 15–6 | 7–15 | 15–8 | | 52–36 |
| 25 Sep | 11:00 | China | 3–1 | Brazil | 15–10 | 15–13 | 15–17 | 15–13 | | 60–53 |
| 25 Sep | 19:00 | Italy | 3–1 | East Germany | 15–8 | 15–7 | 15–17 | 15–5 | | 60–37 |
| 26 Sep | 09:00 | Soviet Union | 3–1 | China | 15–8 | 15–7 | 9–15 | 15–6 | | 54–36 |
| 26 Sep | 11:00 | Brazil | 3–2 | East Germany | 11–15 | 15–10 | 15–11 | 8–15 | 15–4 | 64–55 |
| 26 Sep | 19:00 | Italy | 3–0 | Bulgaria | 15–9 | 15–6 | 17–15 | | | 47–30 |
| 27 Sep | 11:00 | China | 3–0 | East Germany | 15–5 | 15–3 | 15–11 | | | 45–19 |
| 27 Sep | 14:30 | Brazil | 3–0 | Bulgaria | 15–3 | 15–7 | 15–7 | | | 45–17 |
| 27 Sep | 16:30 | Soviet Union | 3–0 | Italy | 15–11 | 15–6 | 15–3 | | | 45–20 |

##### Pool H

Location: Rome
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | Pts | SW | SL | SR | SPW | SPL | SPR | Qualification |
| 1 | Cuba | 5 | 5 | 0 | 10 | 15 | 5 | 3.000 | 283 | 213 | 1.329 | Finals |
| 2 | South Korea | 5 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 12 | 9 | 1.333 | 266 | 249 | 1.068 | Finals |
| 3 | Poland | 5 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 1.111 | 229 | 221 | 1.036 | 5th–8th places |
| 4 | Czechoslovakia | 5 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 11 | 9 | 1.222 | 241 | 227 | 1.062 | 5th–8th places |
| 5 | Japan | 5 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 0.900 | 240 | 222 | 1.081 | 9th–12th places |
| 6 | Mexico | 5 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 15 | 0.000 | 98 | 225 | 0.436 | 9th–12th places |
| Date | Time | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total |
| 24 Sep | 09:00 | South Korea | 3–0 | Mexico | 15–8 | 15–7 | 15–7 | | | 45–22 |
| 24 Sep | 16:30 | Cuba | 3–2 | Czechoslovakia | 15–8 | 7–15 | 15–3 | 13–15 | 15–10 | 65–51 |
| 24 Sep | 21:00 | Poland | 3–2 | Japan | 13–15 | 15–12 | 5–15 | 15–10 | 15–9 | 63–61 |
| 25 Sep | 14:30 | Poland | 3–1 | Czechoslovakia | 15–9 | 3–15 | 15–10 | 15–10 | | 48–44 |
| 25 Sep | 16:30 | Japan | 3–0 | Mexico | 15–6 | 15–3 | 15–12 | | | 45–21 |
| 25 Sep | 21:00 | Cuba | 3–2 | South Korea | 17–15 | 12–15 | 15–13 | 12–15 | 15–7 | 71–65 |
| 26 Sep | 14:30 | Czechoslovakia | 3–0 | Japan | 15–9 | 15–6 | 17–15 | | | 47–30 |
| 26 Sep | 16:30 | Cuba | 3–0 | Mexico | 15–9 | 15–2 | 15–11 | | | 45–22 |
| 26 Sep | 21:00 | South Korea | 3–1 | Poland | 15–7 | 11–15 | 16–14 | 15–10 | | 57–46 |
| 27 Sep | 09:00 | Czechoslovakia | 3–0 | Mexico | 15–4 | 15–13 | 15–2 | | | 45–19 |
| 27 Sep | 19:00 | Cuba | 3–0 | Poland | 15–8 | 15–10 | 15–9 | | | 45–27 |
| 27 Sep | 21:00 | Japan | 3–1 | South Korea | 15–4 | 15–9 | 11–15 | 15–6 | | 56–34 |

#### 13th–24th pools
##### Pool I

Location: Venice
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | Pts | SW | SL | SR | SPW | SPL | SPR | Qualification |
| 1 | France | 5 | 5 | 0 | 10 | 15 | 2 | 7.500 | 248 | 128 | 1.938 | 13th–16th places |
| 2 | Netherlands | 5 | 4 | 1 | 9 | 14 | 5 | 2.800 | 266 | 201 | 1.323 | 13th–16th places |
| 3 | Canada | 5 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 11 | 8 | 1.375 | 236 | 232 | 1.017 | 17th–20th places |
| 4 | Belgium | 5 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 11 | 0.545 | 173 | 217 | 0.797 | 17th–20th places |
| 5 | Egypt | 5 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 12 | 0.583 | 219 | 266 | 0.823 | 21st–23rd places |
| 6 | Tunisia | 5 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 15 | 0.000 | 129 | 227 | 0.568 | 21st–23rd places |
| Date | Time | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total |
| 24 Sep | 09:00 | Belgium | 3–0 | Tunisia | 16–14 | 15–3 | 15–10 | | | 46–27 |
| 24 Sep | 11:00 | Netherlands | 3–0 | Egypt | 15–11 | 17–15 | 16–14 | | | 48–40 |
| 24 Sep | 14:30 | France | 3–0 | Canada | 15–9 | 15–6 | 5–6 | | | 45–21 |
| 25 Sep | 09:00 | Netherlands | 3–0 | Tunisia | 15–2 | 15–10 | 15–12 | | | 45–24 |
| 25 Sep | 11:00 | Canada | 3–2 | Egypt | 12–15 | 15–11 | 15–11 | 12–15 | 15–13 | 69–65 |
| 25 Sep | 14:30 | France | 3–0 | Belgium | 15–5 | 15–8 | 15–2 | | | 45–15 |
| 26 Sep | 09:00 | France | 3–0 | Egypt | 15–5 | 15–5 | 15–4 | | | 45–14 |
| 26 Sep | 11:00 | Canada | 3–0 | Tunisia | 16–14 | 15–4 | 15–8 | | | 46–26 |
| 26 Sep | 14:30 | Netherlands | 3–0 | Belgium | 15–2 | 15–4 | 15–8 | | | 45–14 |
| 27 Sep | 09:00 | Egypt | 3–0 | Tunisia | 15–13 | 15–12 | 15–10 | | | 45–35 |
| 27 Sep | 11:00 | France | 3–2 | Netherlands | 15–9 | 13–15 | 10–15 | 15–11 | 15–11 | 68–61 |
| 27 Sep | 14:30 | Canada | 3–0 | Belgium | 15–6 | 15–10 | 11–13 | | | 45–29 |

##### Pool J

Location: Venice
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | Pts | SW | SL | SR | SPW | SPL | SPR | Qualification |
| 1 | Hungary | 5 | 4 | 1 | 9 | 13 | 5 | 2.600 | 243 | 183 | 1.328 | 13th–16th places |
| 2 | Romania | 5 | 4 | 1 | 9 | 13 | 7 | 1.857 | 272 | 218 | 1.248 | 13th–16th places |
| 3 | United States | 5 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 11 | 7 | 1.571 | 251 | 205 | 1.224 | 17th–20th places |
| 4 | Finland | 5 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 0.750 | 241 | 264 | 0.913 | 17th–20th places |
| 5 | Venezuela | 5 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 12 | 0.667 | 208 | 264 | 0.788 | 21st–23rd places |
| 6 | Argentina | 5 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 15 | 0.267 | 176 | 257 | 0.685 | 21st–23rd places |
| Date | Time | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total |
| 24 Sep | 16:30 | Hungary | 3–0 | Venezuela | 15–10 | 15–6 | 15–2 | | | 45–18 |
| 24 Sep | 19:00 | Finland | 3–2 | United States | 13–15 | 9–15 | 18–16 | 15–12 | 15–7 | 70–65 |
| 24 Sep | 21:00 | Romania | 3–2 | Argentina | 15–7 | 11–15 | 15–8 | 11–15 | 15–8 | 67–53 |
| 25 Sep | 16:30 | Hungary | 3–1 | Finland | 12–15 | 15–10 | 15–10 | 15–6 | | 57–41 |
| 25 Sep | 19:00 | United States | 3–0 | Argentina | 15–8 | 15–3 | 15–6 | | | 45–17 |
| 25 Sep | 21:00 | Romania | 3–2 | Venezuela | 15–12 | 13–15 | 15–7 | 7–15 | 15–5 | 65–54 |
| 26 Sep | 16:30 | United States | 3–1 | Hungary | 15–9 | 16–14 | 11–15 | 15–6 | | 57–44 |
| 26 Sep | 19:00 | Romania | 3–0 | Finland | 15–10 | 15–7 | 15–3 | | | 45–20 |
| 26 Sep | 21:00 | Venezuela | 3–1 | Argentina | 15–6 | 15–12 | 8–15 | 15–13 | | 53–46 |
| 27 Sep | 16:30 | United States | 3–0 | Venezuela | 15–11 | 15–1 | 15–12 | | | 45–24 |
| 27 Sep | 19:00 | Hungary | 3–1 | Romania | 15–8 | 7–15 | 15–10 | 15–12 | | 52–45 |
| 27 Sep | 21:00 | Finland | 3–1 | Argentina | 2–15 | 15–8 | 15–13 | 15–2 | | 47–38 |

### Final round
#### 21st–24th places

| 21st–24th semifinals | 21st–24th semifinals | 21st place | 21st place |
| 30 September | 30 September |
| Venezuela | 3 |
| Venezuela | 3 | 1 October | 1 October |
| Tunisia | 0 | 1 October | 1 October |
| Tunisia | 0 | Venezuela | 3 |
| 30 September | 30 September | | Venezuela | 3 |
| 30 September | 30 September | Argentina | 0 |
| Argentina | 3 | Argentina | 0 |
| Egypt | 1 | | |
| Egypt | 1 | 23rd place | 23rd place |
| | | 1 October | 1 October |
| | | Tunisia | 0 |
| | | Egypt | 3 |

##### 21st–24th semifinals

| Date | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total |
| 30 Sep | Venezuela | 3–0 | Tunisia | 15–12 | 15–8 | 15–8 | | | 45–28 |
| 30 Sep | Argentina | 3–1 | Egypt | 15–8 | 10–15 | 15–8 | 15–10 | | 55–41 |

##### 23rd place match

| Date | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total |
| 1 Oct | Tunisia | 0–3 | Egypt | 4–15 | 5–15 | 10–15 | | | 19–45 |

##### 21st place match

| Date | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total |
| 1 Oct | Venezuela | 3–0 | Argentina | 15–7 | 15–10 | 15–7 | | | 45–24 |

#### 17th–20th places

| 17th–20th semifinals | 17th–20th semifinals | 17th place | 17th place |
| 30 September | 30 September |
| Belgium | 3 |
| Belgium | 3 | 1 October | 1 October |
| United States | 1 | 1 October | 1 October |
| United States | 1 | Belgium | 0 |
| 30 September | 30 September | | Belgium | 0 |
| 30 September | 30 September | Finland | 3 |
| Finland | 3 | Finland | 3 |
| Canada | 0 | | |
| Canada | 0 | 19th place | 19th place |
| | | 1 October | 1 October |
| | | United States | 3 |
| | | Canada | 0 |

##### 17th–20th semifinals

| Date | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total |
| 30 Sep | Belgium | 3–1 | United States | 15–12 | 15–10 | 12–15 | 15–10 | | 57–47 |
| 30 Sep | Finland | 3–0 | Canada | 15–10 | 15–4 | 15–10 | | | 45–24 |

##### 19th place match

| Date | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total |
| 1 Oct | United States | 3–0 | Canada | 15–4 | 15–9 | 15–8 | | | 45–21 |

##### 17th place match

| Date | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total |
| 1 Oct | Belgium | 0–3 | Finland | 13–15 | 8–15 | 13–15 | | | 34–45 |

#### 13th–16th places

| 13th–16th semifinals | 13th–16th semifinals | 13th place | 13th place |
| 30 September – Venice | 30 September – Venice |
| Romania | 3 |
| Romania | 3 | 1 October – Venice | 1 October – Venice |
| France | 1 | 1 October – Venice | 1 October – Venice |
| France | 1 | Romania | 3 |
| 30 September – Venice | 30 September – Venice | | Romania | 3 |
| 30 September – Venice | 30 September – Venice | Hungary | 1 |
| Hungary | 3 | Hungary | 1 |
| Netherlands | 1 | | |
| Netherlands | 1 | 15th place | 15th place |
| | | 1 October – Venice | 1 October – Venice |
| | | France | 3 |
| | | Netherlands | 1 |

##### 13th–16th semifinals

| Date | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total |
| 30 Sep | Romania | 3–1 | France | 11–15 | 15–12 | 15–2 | 15–5 | | 56–34 |
| 30 Sep | Hungary | 3–1 | Netherlands | 15–9 | 13–15 | 15–7 | 15–5 | | 58–36 |

##### 15th place match

| Date | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total |
| 1 Oct | France | 3–1 | Netherlands | 15–4 | 15–7 | 11–15 | 15–7 | | 56–33 |

##### 13th place match

| Date | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total |
| 1 Oct | Romania | 3–1 | Hungary | 10–15 | 15–12 | 15–4 | 15–7 | | 55–38 |

#### 9th–12th places

| 9th–12th semifinals | 9th–12th semifinals | 9th place | 9th place |
| 30 September | 30 September |
| Bulgaria | 3 |
| Bulgaria | 3 | 1 October | 1 October |
| Mexico | 2 | 1 October | 1 October |
| Mexico | 2 | Bulgaria | 1 |
| 30 September | 30 September | | Bulgaria | 1 |
| 30 September | 30 September | East Germany | 3 |
| Japan | 1 | East Germany | 3 |
| East Germany | 3 | | |
| East Germany | 3 | 11th place | 11th place |
| | | 1 October | 1 October |
| | | Mexico | 1 |
| | | Japan | 3 |

##### 9th–12th semifinals

| Date | Time | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total |
| 30 Sep | 09:00 | Bulgaria | 3–2 | Mexico | 12–15 | 15–8 | 13–15 | 15–12 | 15–12 | 70–62 |
| 30 Sep | 14:30 | Japan | 1–3 | East Germany | 8–15 | 15–7 | 11–15 | 7–15 | | 41–52 |

##### 11th place match

| Date | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total |
| 1 Oct | Mexico | 1–3 | Japan | 15–12 | 7–15 | 3–15 | 5–15 | | 30–57 |

##### 9th place match

| Date | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total |
| 1 Oct | Bulgaria | 1–3 | East Germany | 15–6 | 9–15 | 10–15 | 10–15 | | 44–51 |

#### 5th–8th places

| 5th–8th semifinals | 5th–8th semifinals | 5th place | 5th place |
| 30 September | 30 September |
| China | 1 |
| China | 1 | 1 October | 1 October |
| Czechoslovakia | 3 | 1 October | 1 October |
| Czechoslovakia | 3 | Czechoslovakia | 3 |
| 30 September | 30 September | | Czechoslovakia | 3 |
| 30 September | 30 September | Brazil | 2 |
| Poland | 0 | Brazil | 2 |
| Brazil | 3 | | |
| Brazil | 3 | 7th place | 7th place |
| | | 1 October | 1 October |
| | | China | 3 |
| | | Poland | 2 |

##### 5th–8th semifinals

| Date | Time | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total |
| 30 Sep | 11:00 | China | 1–3 | Czechoslovakia | 16–14 | 7–15 | 5–15 | 12–15 | | 40–59 |
| 30 Sep | 16:00 | Poland | 0–3 | Brazil | 11–15 | 12–15 | 7–15 | | | 30–45 |

##### 7th place match

| Date | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total |
| 1 Oct | China | 3–2 | Poland | 12–15 | 15–13 | 11–15 | 15–13 | 15–13 | 68–69 |

##### 5th place match

| Date | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total |
| 1 Oct | Czechoslovakia | 3–2 | Brazil | 5–15 | 16–14 | 4–15 | 15–11 | 15–6 | 55–66 |

#### Finals

| Semifinals | Semifinals | Final | Final |
| 30 September – Rome | 30 September – Rome |
| Cuba | 1 |
| Cuba | 1 | 1 October – Rome | 1 October – Rome |
| Italy | 3 | 1 October – Rome | 1 October – Rome |
| Italy | 3 | Italy | 0 |
| 30 September – Rome | 30 September – Rome | | Italy | 0 |
| 30 September – Rome | 30 September – Rome | Soviet Union | 3 |
| Soviet Union | 3 | Soviet Union | 3 |
| South Korea | 0 | | |
| South Korea | 0 | 3rd place | 3rd place |
| | | 1 October – Rome | 1 October – Rome |
| | | Cuba | 3 |
| | | South Korea | 1 |

##### Semifinals

| Date | Time | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total |
| 30 Sep | 19:00 | Cuba | 1–3 | Italy | 17–15 | 11–15 | 14–16 | 12–15 | | 54–61 |
| 30 Sep | 21:00 | Soviet Union | 3–0 | South Korea | 15–3 | 15–3 | 15–9 | | | 45–15 |

##### 3rd place match

| Date | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total |
| 1 Oct | Cuba | 3–1 | South Korea | 17–15 | 15–9 | 13–15 | 15–5 | | 60–44 |

##### Final

| Date | | Score | | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Total |
| 1 Oct | Italy | 0–3 | Soviet Union | 10–15 | 13–15 | 1–15 | | | 24–45 |

## Final standing

| Rank | Team |
| | Soviet Union |
| | Italy |
| | Cuba |
| 4 | South Korea |
| 5 | Czechoslovakia |
| 6 | Brazil |
| 7 | China |
| 8 | Poland |
| 9 | East Germany |
| 10 | Bulgaria |
| 11 | Japan |
| 12 | Mexico |
| 13 | Romania |
| 14 | Hungary |
| 15 | France |
| 16 | Netherlands |
| 17 | Finland |
| 18 | Belgium |
| 19 | United States |
| 20 | Canada |
| 21 | Venezuela |
| 22 | Argentina |
| 23 | Egypt |
| 24 | Tunisia |
* 1978 Men's World champions
* Soviet Union 5th title