2010 AFC Cup - Qualification

Qualification

The preliminary qualification scheme for the AFC 2010 was released in 2008. A total of 33 clubs were due to participate in the 2010 AFC Cup (eventually reduced to 31).

Qualifying play-off (2 teams)

The teams were from the following associations:

• Qatar
• Uzbekistan

However, the qualifying play-off was not needed and both teams advanced automatically in the group stage after FIFA’s suspension of the Iraqi Football Association was not lifted by January 6, 2010.

Group stage (32 teams)

• Qualifying play-off winner (eventually not played)
• 2 teams to qualify from each of the following associations:
  • Hong Kong
  • Iraq
  • Jordan
  • Kuwait
  • Lebanon
  • Maldives
  • Oman
  • Syria
  • Yemen

Both teams from Iraq were disqualified after FIFA's suspension on the Iraq Football Association was not lifted on 6 January 2010.

• 1 team to qualify from each of the following associations:
  • Bahrain
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Malaysia
  • Singapore
  • Thailand
  • Vietnam
• 6 losers from 2010 AFC Champions League qualifying play-offs (including any of the 2009 AFC Cup finalists which fail to fulfil the criteria set by AFC to compete in the 2010 AFC Champions League, and thus directly enter the 2010 AFC Cup)

Notes

• Three teams from elite countries have been given a chance to take part in the 2010 AFC Cup competition, therefore a qualiyfing play-off match has been added to the calendar (eventually not played).
• For the second time in its history, teams from Kuwait will join the AFC Cup fray. Syrian clubs again reappear in the competition after winning the inaugural edition (Al Jaish) in 2004.
• A Qatari team will participate in the tournament for the first time.