The men's coxed four competition at the 1968 Summer Olympics took place at Virgilio Uribe Rowing and Canoeing Course, Mexico City, Mexico. It was held from 13 to 19 October and was unexpectedly won by the team from New Zealand, which secured the country its first Olympic rowing gold medal. Thirteen teams (66 competitors, with the Soviet Union making one substitution) from 13 nations attended the competition. East Germany earned its first medal in its debut in the event, taking silver (the 1960 and 1964 Olympic tournaments had both been won by the United Team of Germany, with West German crews). Switzerland took bronze, its first medal in the men's coxed four since 1952.