It took place in United Arab Emirates between 27 November and 19 December 2003.

Brazil claimed their fourth title, becoming the first country to simultaneously hold all three World Cups of the same gender (senior, under-20, and under-17).

[a] The tournament was originally planned to be played 25 March to 16 April 2003, but was postponed because of the Iraq War.

The following 24 teams qualified for the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship.

For a list of all squads that played in the final tournament, see 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship squads.