A qualifying stage was first implemented for the 1980 tournament and this upcoming 22nd instance will feature 14 of the 16 teams to have won the title to date. At the opposite end, nine sides are hoping to qualify for the first time: Bhutan, Guam, Macau, Maldives, Mongolia, Northern Mariana Islands, Palestine, Timor-Leste, and Turkmenistan.
Group B will get the opening matchday underway on Saturday at 3pm when Nepal face Cambodia at the Fu Jen University in New Taipei. The last of Nepal’s four previous Finals appearances came in 2004, while Cambodia’s absence since their third in 1974 is the longest of any team in these Qualifiers. At 7pm, hosts Chinese Taipei begin their quest for an 11th qualification and first since 2018; a third-place finish in 1966 is their best ever result. The visitors are 1986 runners-up Bahrain, hunting a 10th participation and first since 2016. Uzbekistan claimed their first crown in the last edition in 2023 and their mission to defend it starts with a clash against Cambodia on September 23 at 3pm, as they eye a ninth qualification.
Guam and Bhutan, participating in their 10th and eighth Qualifiers respectively, meet in their Group A opener at 4pm at the Lach Tray Stadium in Hai Phong; the former will aim to notch their first ever qualifying win. Targeting a return after their sixth involvement in 2002, Bangladesh – fifth in 1980 – go up against 1994 winners Syria at 7pm, with the latter seeking a 12th qualification. Home side Vietnam, who placed fourth in 1961, swing into action two days later at 7pm on September 23 against Bhutan as they vie for a seventh consecutive and 21st overall participation.
The Republican Central Stadium in Dushanbe is the backdrop for Group E, which opens with three-time runners-up Malaysia taking on Oman at 5pm. The Southeast Asians’ last qualification in 2018 was their 23rd, while their opponents are hunting back-to-back appearances for the first time and a third overall. The 8pm fixture has three-time winners DPR Korea (1976, 2006, 2010), who also last took part in 2018 and are aiming for a 14th qualification, squaring off with Sri Lanka, whose last of 10 involvements came in 1986. On September 23, hosts Tajikistan take to the pitch to face Sri Lanka at 8pm, with their sights set on a fourth straight qualification and sixth overall.
Taking part in their 17th qualifying campaign, Macau have been pitted against Afghanistan in Group D’s opening match at 4pm at the Prince Sultan Sports City Stadium in Abha. The latter are aiming to qualify for a fourth time, with their last appearance in 1978. In the Qualifiers for a 10th time, Palestine’s first test comes against home side Saudi Arabia at 8pm, with the latter – champions in 1986, 1992 and 2018 – focused on a fourth straight qualification and 16th overall. Australia will aim to maintain their record of qualifying for every edition since joining the AFC in 2006.The 2010 runners-up begin their bid for a ninth appearance against Afghanistan at 4pm on September 23.
The United Arab Emirates, whose sole triumph came in 2008 and last involvement was in 2018, are looking for a 15th appearance, with Lebanon their first opponents in Group C. The latter have not qualified since 2008 and are aiming to do so for only the third time; kick-off is at 5.30pm. Hosts Kuwait are next up at 8.30pm and their journey for a first qualification since 2012 and ninth overall start against the Northern Mariana Islands, who are hunting for their first ever point in their third Qualifiers. The fifth side in the group, Korea Republic, hold the record for most titles (12) and qualifications (39); another successful Qualifiers campaign will make it 19 consecutive Finals and they will register 15 qualifying wins in a row if they defeat Kuwait at 8.30pm on September 23.
The remaining five groups commence on September 25, which features Group F first as Yemen, targeting a seventh qualification and first since 2016, face a Timor-Leste side, in their third Qualifiers, at 3pm. Champions in 1961, hosts Indonesia have 19 prior appearances and could make it three in a row; the Maldives, contesting their 17th Qualifiers, stand in their way first at 7.30pm.
Finalists at the previous edition in 2023, Iraq have five titles to their name and will fancy their chances of qualifying for a 10th consecutive time and 19th overall. They open Group H at 3.30pm at the Buriram City Stadium against Brunei Darussalam, who have qualified four times previously, with the last occasion coming in 1975. At 7.30pm, home side Thailand are in action as the two-time winners (1962, 1969) attempt to qualify for the 34th instance, with the Philippines – looking for a 15th qualification and first since 1975 – as their opposition.
Vientiane’s Lao National Stadium KM16 provides the backdrop for Group G as Mongolia, in their fifth Qualifiers, take on 1974 champions India, targeting a 23rd appearance and first since 2006, at 4pm. The Islamic Republic of Iran, four-time winners and eyeing a 21st qualification, then challenge hosts Laos, whose fourth and most recent appearance came in 2004, at 7pm.
Turkmenistan face a tough opening hurdle in their 13th Qualifiers against Group I heavyweights Japan, who lifted the trophy in 2016 and finished runners-up on six occasions. The East Asians have 38 previous qualifications – second-most of any team – and their last qualifying defeat came in 2011, with their last conceded goal in 2013; victory in the 3pm clash at the Dolen Omurzakov Stadium in Bishkek will put them on track for an 18th straight appearance. Hosts Kyrgyz Republic, who can achieve back-to-back qualifications for the first time and third overall, welcome Myanmar at 8pm, with the away side – whose seven titles are second only to Korea Republic – trying to qualify for a 20th instance and first since 2014.
Group J hosts Qatar, who emerged triumphant in 2014 and have qualified for each of the past five editions, take on Singapore at 8pm at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha. The visitors have 19 appearances, three more than the home side, although the most recent occasion was in 1978. The simultaneous kick-off at the Grand Hamad Stadium in Doha has Jordan, aiming for a third consecutive qualification and ninth overall, battling Hong Kong, China, whose last appearance – their 16th – came in 1977.
