The 2003 FIVB Women's World Cup was held from 1 to 15 November 2003 in Japan. Twelve women's national teams played in cities all over Japan for the right to a fast lane ticket into the 2004 Summer Olympics.
Teams were made up as follows: hosts Japan, continental champions and vice-champions from Europe, Asia, NORCECA and South America, continental champion from Africa, and two wild-card teams nominated jointly by the FIVB and the Japan Volleyball Association. Teams played a single-round robin format (66 games overall), in two parallel groups (site A and site B). The women played in Tokyo, Kagoshima, Nagoya, Toyama, Sapporo, Sendai, and Osaka.
Japan — Host
Egypt — African Champions
China — Asian Champions
Poland — European Champions
United States — NORCECA Champions
Brazil — South American Champions
South Korea — Asian bronze medalists
Turkey — European Vice-champions
Cuba — NORCECA Vice-champions
Argentina — South American Vice-champions.svg/1280px-Flag_of_Italy_(2003%E2%80%932006).svg.png){kind=small}
Italy — Wild-card
Dominican Republic — Wild-cardAll times are Japan Standard Time (UTC+09:00).
Venue: Yoyogi National Gymnasium, Tokyo
Venue: Kagoshima Arena, Kagoshima
Venue: Nagoya Rainbow Hall, Nagoya
Venue: Sendai Gymnasium, Sendai
Venue: Hokkaido Prefectural Sports Center, Sapporo
Venue: Toyama City Gymnasium, Toyama
Venue: Namihaya Dome, Kadoma
Venue: Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka