AFC Asian Cup 2023: Revisiting action in Qualifiers

Tajikistan will be the only side making their AFC Asian Cup debut.

The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 kicks off in just a few days with anticipation building for the continental showpiece. 

The 24 teams had to endure a long and winding road to reach their destination and as we eagerly await the opening match between Qatar and Lebanon on January 12, AFC retraces a qualifying campaign like never before.

Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 1

Serving as the first step towards qualifying for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup 2023, 12 teams entered the fray in the first round. 

Played over two legs in June 2019, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Guam, Malaysia, Mongolia and Sri Lanka advanced to the next stage, where another 34 teams awaited.

Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2

The stakes were much higher in the second round as 12 teams would advance to the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar, which would also confirm their AFC Asian Cup 2023 tickets.

The 40 teams were divided into eight groups with the action kicking off on September 5, 2019. 

Six rounds of matches were played till November 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic brought a halt to the qualifiers, with the matches only resuming on June 3, 2021. 

The second round was completed 12 days later with Syria and China PR (Group A), Australia (Group B), Islamic Republic of Iran and Iraq (Group C), Saudi Arabia (Group D), Oman (Group E), Japan (Group F), United Arab Emirates and Vietnam (Group G), Korea Republic and Lebanon (Group H) advancing to the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar as well as confirming their AFC Asian Cup 2023 berths. 

Qatar, having already confirmed their FIFA World Cup 2022 spot by virtue of being the hosts, topped Group E to confirm their AFC Asian Cup 2023 ticket. 

Qualifiers Playoff Round 

While 20 teams booked their spots in the Qualifiers Final Round, four teams had to navigate through a playoff to advance. 

Indonesia defeated Chinese Taipei 5-1 on aggregate while Cambodia beat Guam 3-1 over two legs to complete the cast for the Qualifiers Final Round.

Qualifiers Final Round

With the world still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, the final round was played in centralised venues with the 24 teams divided into six groups. 

With only 11 places available, the six group winners and five best second-placed teams would advance to the Finals.

Played between June 8 and 14, 2022, Jordan booked their spot in the Finals as the Group A winners with Indonesia joining them at former champions Kuwait’s expense.

Palestine were the standout team in Group B, winning all three matches, as did Uzbekistan in Group C.

Thailand advanced from Group C as one of the best five runners-up while India topped Group D with a 100 percent record. Also through with India were Hong Kong, China.

Bahrain were the outstanding side in Group E, winning all three matches with Malaysia also advancing.

Tajikistan topped Group F ahead of Kyrgyz Republic, with both teams booking their spots in the Finals.

Tajikistan will be the only side making their AFC Asian Cup debut at Qatar 2023 while Hong Kong, China are back in the Finals for the first time since 1968.

Indonesia and Malaysia will be appearing in the Finals for the first time since co-hosting the 2007 edition. 

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