In 1964, the FIVB initially selected Peru to host the World Cup, which was to take place from October 12th to 29th, 1966. Since the organization in Peru failed, Japan was chosen as the organizer and the date was postponed to January 1967. Riots broke out in Tokyo just before the tournament started. The hosts refused to give the official names of the GDR and North Korea and to present the national anthems and flags of these states. Therefore the two teams withdrew. Some other socialist states showed their solidarity with the GDR and North Korea by boycotting the tournament . This left only four participants.