On 4 May, the draw for the 2016 Paralympic Games Goalball competition was held at Future Arena, the site of the 2016 Paralympic Goalball competition. 

Medalists from the 2014 IBSA World Goalball Championships were first assigned their position in pools. 

For the men's competition, the world champions from Brazil were placed at the top of men's pool A.  Second place finisher, Finland, was placed as the top position for men's pool B.  Third place, USA, was placed at the second position for pool B. 

For the women's competition, USA, current world champions, was placed at the top of women's pool C.  Russia, second place finishers, received the top pool D position.  Third place Turkey received the second position in pool D. 

The first draws consisited of regional champions.  Algeria was drawn for the second position in men's pool B.  Canada and Turkey were drawn as third positions in men's pool A and B.   China was drawn as the 4th position in men's pool B.  On the women's side, Japan was selected for the second position in women's pool C.  Algeria and Ukraine were drawn for the third positions in women's pools C and D.  Canada was drawn as the fourth position in women's pool D. 

The second draws included the top performing teams from the IBSA Goalball Paralympic Placement Tournament held in conjunction with the 2015 IBSA World Games.  Germany and Sweden were selected as fourth and fifth places in men's pool A.  Lithuania was selected as fifth place in pool B.  Brazil and Israel received fourth and fifth places in women's pool C and China received 5th place in women's pool D.

Men's pool A:  BRA, ALG, CAN, GER, SWE
Men's pool B:  FIN, USA, TUR, CHN, LTU
Women's pool C:  USA, JPN, ALG, BRA, ISR
Women's pool D:  RUS, TUR, UKR, CAN, CHN

"It's an awful draw for us." admitted Finland coach Timo Laitenen.  The beginning will be very tough, but if we win our games, our semifinal could be easier."