[2] For the first time since 2000, the tournament returned to its native venue at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

As like in the previous year, a record low of eight nations competed in two groups of four teams in a round robin format.

European teams gained qualification by finishing in the top three spots of the 2002 Euro Beach Soccer League.

North and South American qualification was based on performances over recent times in a series of events involving teams from the Americas.

Matches are listed as local time in Rio de Janeiro, (UTC-3) February 21 was allocated as a rest day.