Qualifying Teams
The following is the list of participants confirmed by the AFC.
| West Asia (Groups A–E) |
| Team |
Qualifying method |
App |
Last App |
| Al-Riffa |
2008–09 Bahrain Classification Soccer League runners-up |
1st |
|
| Kingfisher East Bengal |
2009–10 Indian Federation Cup winners |
4th |
2008 |
| Al-Wahdat |
2008–09 Jordan League champions
2008–09 Jordan FA Cup winners |
5th |
2009 |
| Shabab Al-Ordon |
2008–09 Jordan League runners-up |
3rd |
2008 |
| Al-Kuwait1,TH |
2009 AFC Cup winners
2009 Kuwait Emir Cup winners |
2nd |
2009 |
| Al-Qadsia |
2008–09 Kuwaiti Premier League champions |
1st |
|
| Kazma |
2008–09 Kuwaiti Premier League runners-up |
1st |
|
| Al-Nejmeh |
2008–09 Lebanese Premier League champions |
5th |
2007 |
| Al-Ahed |
2008–09 Lebanese FA Cup winners |
4th |
2009 |
| Al-Nahda |
2008–09 Omani League champions |
2nd |
2008 |
| Saham |
2009 Sultan Qaboos Cup winners |
1st |
|
| Al-Rayyan2 |
2008–09 Qatar Stars League 3rd place |
1st |
|
| Al-Ittihad |
2008–09 Syrian Premier League runners-up |
1st |
|
| Al-Jaish |
2008–09 Syrian Premier League 3rd place |
2nd |
2004 |
| Nasaf Qarshi2 |
2009 Uzbek League 3rd place |
1st |
|
| Al-Hilal |
2008–09 Yemeni League champions |
4th |
2009 |
| Al-Ahli |
2009 Yemeni President Cup winners |
2nd |
2008 |
| Al-Karamah SC |
2010 AFC Champions League qualifying play-off losers |
2nd |
2009 |
| Churchill Brothers |
2010 AFC Champions League qualifying play-off losers |
1st |
|
|
| East Asia (Groups F–H) |
| Team |
Qualifying method |
App |
Last App |
| South China |
2008–09 Hong Kong First Division League champions |
3rd |
2009 |
| NT Realty Wofoo Tai Po |
2009 Hong Kong FA Cup winners |
1st |
|
| Persiwa Wamena3 |
2008–09 Indonesia Super League runners-up |
1st |
|
| Selangor |
2009 Super League Malaysia champions |
2nd |
2006 |
| VB Sports Club |
2009 Dhivehi League champions |
2nd |
2009 |
| Victory SC |
2009 Maldives FA Cup winners |
3rd |
2008 |
| Geylang United |
2009 Singapore Cup winners |
2nd |
2004 |
| Thai Port |
2009 Thai FA Cup winners |
1st |
|
| Bình Dương |
2009 V-League runners-up |
2nd |
2009 |
| Sriwijaya FC |
2010 AFC Champions League qualifying play-off losers |
1st |
|
| SHB Ðà Nẵng |
2010 AFC Champions League qualifying play-off losers |
1st |
|
| Muangthong United |
2010 AFC Champions League qualifying play-off losers |
1st |
|
|
1 Al-Kuwait failed to fulfil the criteria set by AFC to compete in the 2010 AFC Champions League, and so directly enter the 2010 AFC Cup.
2 Nasaf Qarshi were due to host Al-Rayyan in the qualifying play-off, with the winner advancing to the group stage (Group E). However, both teams advanced automatically to the group stage after the two teams from Iraq, Arbil (Group C) and Najaf (Group B), were disqualified after FIFA's suspension on the Iraq Football Association was not lifted on 6 January 2010. As a result, the tournament was reduced to 31 teams.
3 Negeri Sembilan FA (second representative of Malaysia) withdrew, and was replaced by Persiwa Wamena.
TH Title holders