Participating Countries in Region
Following are the 2009 AFC Cup Participants.
| West Asia |
| Team |
Qualifying method |
| Al-Muharraq1 |
2008 AFC Cup winners
2007–08 Bahraini Premier League winners
2008 Bahraini King's Cup winners |
| Busaiteen |
2007–08 Bahraini Premier League runners-up |
| Mohun Bagan AC |
2008 Indian Federation Cup winners |
| Arbil |
2007–08 Iraqi Premier League champions |
| Al-Zawraa |
2007–08 Iraqi Premier League runners-up |
| Al-Wihdat |
2007–08 Jordan League champions |
| Al-Faisaly |
2007–08 Jordan FA Cup winners |
| Al-Kuwait |
2007–08 Kuwaiti Premier League champions |
| Al-Arabi |
2008 Kuwait Emir Cup winners |
| Safa1 |
2008 AFC Cup runners-up |
| Al-Ahed |
2007–08 Lebanese Premier League champions |
| Al-Mabarrah |
2007–08 Lebanese FA Cup winners |
| Al-Oruba |
2007–08 Omani League champions |
| Al-Suwaiq |
2008 Sultan Qaboos Cup winners |
| Al-Karamah |
2007–08 Syrian Premier League champions
2007–08 Syrian Cup winners |
| Al-Majd |
2007–08 Syrian Premier League runners-up |
| Neftchi Farg'ona |
2008 Uzbek League 3rd place |
| Al-Hilal Al-Sahili |
2007–08 Yemeni League champions |
| Al-Tilal |
2007 Yemeni President Cup winners |
| Dempo |
2009 AFC Champions League qualifying play-off losers |
|
| East Asia |
| Team |
Qualifying method |
| South China |
2007–08 Hong Kong First Division League champions |
| Eastern |
2007 Hong Kong Senior Challenge Shield winners |
| Kedah FA |
2007–08 Super League Malaysia champions
2008 Malaysia FA Cup winners |
| Johor FC |
2007–08 Super League Malaysia 3rd place |
| Club Valencia |
2008 Dhivehi League champions |
| VB Sports Club |
2008 Maldives FA Cup winners |
| Home United |
2008 S.League 3rd place |
| Chonburi |
2008 Thailand Premier League runners-up |
| Binh Duong1 |
2008 V-League champions |
| Hanoi ACB |
2007–08 Vietnamese Cup winners |
| PSMS Medan |
2009 AFC Champions League qualifying play-off losers |
| PEA |
2009 AFC Champions League qualifying play-off losers |
|
- 1 These clubs had qualified for the 2009 AFC Champions League, but were removed as their nations did not meet AFC Criteria.