Asian Cup - Qualification

Asian Cup qualification (AFC Asian Cup qualifiers) determines the teams for the Asian Cup finals, and in the 2027 cycle the first two rounds are integrated with the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers. Qualification regulations: after the Preliminary Joint Qualification is completed, the Asian Cup qualifying phase consists of a two-legged Qualifiers Playoff (home and away, decided on aggregate, with extra time and penalties if level after the second leg) followed by the Qualifiers Final Round with 24 teams drawn into six groups of four playing a home-and-away league format, where only the group winners qualify for the finals.  Group ranking is decided by points, then head-to-head points, head-to-head goal difference and head-to-head goals scored, with head-to-head criteria reapplied among any teams still tied, followed by overall goal difference and overall goals scored, then penalties if only two teams remain level and they played each other in their last group match, then disciplinary points and drawing of lots.