It was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

It was won by Pakistan, who defeated the Netherlands 3–2 in the final.

[1] The host nation, Argentina, finished eighth.

Defending champions India were to play Belgium on 18 March 1978 as the opening fixture of the tournament but was postponed due to heavy rains the previous day.

[2] Pakistan Saleem Sherwani, Munawwaruz Zaman, Saeed Ahmed, Muhammad Shafiq, Rana Ehsanullah, Akhtar Rasool, Islahuddin Siddiquee, Hanif Khan, Manzoor Hussain, Shahnaz Sheikh, Samiullah Khan Netherlands Maarten Sikking, André Bolhuis, Imbert Jebbink, Geert van Eijk, Hans Jorritsma, Ties Kruize, Theo Doyer, Ron Steens, Paul Litjens, Tim Steens, Wouter Leefers