The 2003 FIVB Men's World Cup was held from 16 to 29 November 2003 in Japan.

Twelve men's national teams played in cities all over Japan for the right to a fast lane ticket into the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.

Teams were made up as follows: hosts Japan, continental champions and vice-champions from Europe, Asia, NORCECA and South America, continental champion from Africa plus two wild-card teams nominated jointly by FIVB and the Japan Volleyball Association.

Teams played a single-round robin format (66 games overall), in two parallel groups (site A and site B).

The men played in Tokyo, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Nagano, Hamamatsu, and Okayama.