The teams have been divided into two zones – West (23) and East (16).

The teams will be divided into seven groups of six and five teams each. West Zone will have three groups of six and one of five teams while East will have one group of six teams each and two of five.

Top two teams from each of the groups and third best team from West and East zones will qualify for the tournament proper.

TEAMS AND ZONES

West by ranking

1. Saudi Arabia, 2. Uzbekistan, 3. UAE, 4. Bahrain, 5. Syria, 6. Iran, 7. Jordan, 8. Iraq, 9. Yemen, 10. Oman, 11. Tajikistan, 12. Pakistan, 13. Qatar, 14. Palestine, 15. India, 16. Bangladesh, 17. Kuwait, 18. Nepal, 19. Afghanistan, 20. Bhutan, Lebanon, Maldives, Turkmenistan.

East by ranking

1. DPR Korea, 2. Australia, 3. Korea Republic, 4. Japan, 5. China, 6. Vietnam, 7. Thailand, 8. Indonesia, 9. Malaysia, 10. Hong Kong, 11. Myanmar, 12. Singapore, 13. Macau, 14. Guam, 15. Laos, 16. Chinese Taipei.