Each of the Continental Champions from five confederations received an automatic berth. Japan as the host nation qualified automatically. In addition, the remaining six nations were to be determined by an olympic qualification event. As Japan emerged as Asian champion in both men's and women's events, a seventh berth was made available in each qualification event. Although the qualification was unaffected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
^A – Japan qualified both as the hosts and the continental champions, therefore that quota is added to the FIH Olympic Qualifiers rather than going to the runners-up of the tournament.[1]
^1 – Japan qualified both as the hosts and the continental champions, therefore that quota is added to the FIH Olympic Qualifiers rather than going to the runners-up of the tournament.[1]
The competition consisted of two stages; a group stage followed by a knockout stage.
Group stage
Teams were divided into two groups of six nations, playing every team in their group once. Three points were awarded for a victory, one for a draw. The top four teams per group will qualify to the quarter-finals.
As per statistical convention in field hockey, matches decided in regular time are counted as wins and losses, while matches decided by penalty shoot-outs are counted as draws.
The competition consisted of two stages; a group stage followed by a knockout stage.
Group stage
Teams were divided into two groups of six nations, playing every team in their group once. Three points are awarded for a victory, one for a draw. The top four teams per group will qualify for the quarter-finals.
As per statistical convention in field hockey, matches decided in regular time are counted as wins and losses, while matches decided by penalty shoot-outs are counted as draws.