Bulgaria and South Vietnam made their first appearances in the tournament.
In the Eastern Zone the participating countries were split into two sub-zones, with the winner of each sub-zone playing to determine which team moved to the Inter-Zonal Zone.
In the Europe Zone the previous year's semifinalists were no longer granted byes into the second round, however seeding was still in place to ensure that these countries could not meet before the semifinals.
Australia defeated the defending champions the United States in the Challenge Round.
The final was played at the Harold Clark Courts in Cleveland, Ohio, United States on 25–28 September.