BEIJING — The U.S. men's volleyball team will face Venezuela and the women will play Japan in their opening matches at the Olympics.

The draw for the preliminary rounds took place today for the 12 men's and 12 women's squads, which were divided into six-team round-robin pools based on world rankings.

Host China, the defending women's champion, will open against Venezuela on Aug. 9.

The men's competition begins the next day. World and Olympic champion Brazil faces Egypt in its opener.

The top four in each pool advance to the quarterfinals.

Groups:

Women — Pool A: Japan, Venezuela, Poland, Cuba, China, United States. Pool B: Algeria, Serbia, Italy, Russia, Kazakhstan, Brazil.

Men — Pool A: United States, Italy, Bulgaria, China, Japan, Venezuela. Pool B: Serbia, Brazil, Poland, Germany, Egypt, Russia.