 The tournament was organized from 7 June to 4 July and featured players such as Garrincha, Nilton Santos, Dino Sani of Botafogo, José Travassos of Sporting Lisbon, Didi, Joao Pinheiro of Fluminense, Luizinho, goalkeeper Gilmar of Corinthians, Vavá, Ademir of Vasco da Gama, Nílton de Sordi of São Paulo, Lawrie Reilly of Hibernian, Jose Santamaria, Argentine Hector Rial and goalkeeper Walter Taibo of Nacional.Real Madrid (champion of the 1952 Small Club World Cup) withdrew from the competition.Nacional (1953 Uruguayan champion) accepted the invitation to participate but were prohibited by the Uruguayan FA.