Qualification
The qualification round ran from February 22, 2006 to November 15, 2006. For the first time, the defending champions (Japan) needed to attend the qualification stage. Twenty-four teams attempted to qualify for 2007 AFC Asian Cup. They were divided into 4 teams for each group and determined the remaining last 12 places, as the four co-hosts - Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam - were already granted automatic qualification. Australia was the first non-host nation to qualify.
| Country | Qualified as | Date qualification was secured | Previous appearances in tournament12 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indonesia | 00Co-hosts | 7 August 2004 | 03 !3 (1996, 2000, 2004) |
| Malaysia | 01Co-hosts | 7 August 2004 | 02 !2 (1976, 1980) |
| Thailand | 02Co-hosts | 7 August 2004 | 05 !5 (1972, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004) |
| Vietnam | 03Co-hosts | 7 August 2004 | 02 !2 (19563, 19603) |
| Australia | D1 !Group D winner | 11 October 2006 | 0 (debut) |
| Japan | A1 !Group A winner | 15 November 2006 | 05 !5 (1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004) |
| Saudi Arabia | A2 !Group A runner-up | 15 November 2006 | 06 !6 (1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004) |
| Iran | B1 !Group B winner | 15 November 2006 | 10 !10 (1968, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004) |
| South Korea | B2 !Group B runner-up | 15 November 2006 | 10 !10 (1956, 1960, 1964, 1972, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1996, 2000, 2004) |
| United Arab Emirates | C1 !Group C winner | 15 November 2006 | 06 !6 (1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2004) |
| Oman | C2 !Group C runner-up | 15 November 2006 | 01 !1 (2004) |
| Bahrain | D2 !Group D runner-up | 15 November 2006 | 02 !2 (1988, 2004) |
| Iraq | E1 !Group E winner | 15 November 2006 | 05 !5 (1972, 1976, 1996, 2000, 2004) |
| China PR | E2 !Group E runner-up | 15 November 2006 | 08 !8 (1976, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004) |
| Qatar | F1 !Group F winner | 15 November 2006 | 06 !6 (1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 2000, 2004) |
| Uzbekistan | F2 !Group F runner-up | 15 November 2006 | 03 !3 (1996, 2000, 2004) |
- 1 Bold indicates champion for that year
- 2 Italic indicates host
- 3 As South Vietnam
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