“This event will provide ideal boost to Pakistan football besides helping to exploit the untapped potential in the country,” a spokesman for the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) said.

Uzbekistan, runners-up of the previous edition, will fight it out with Pakistan, Iran, Lebanon, Turkmenistan and Maldives when the PFF hosts the six-team Group D.

“A total of 42 teams have been divided into seven groups of six teams each. Four groups belong to the West Asia Zone and three to the East Asia Zone. The AFC has asked all the seven host nations to run the qualifiers from November 1-15,” added the PFF spokesman.

The winners and runners-up of each group will advance to the main tournament to be held next year. “One best third-placed team from the West Zone and one best third-placed team from the East Zone will also qualify for the finals,” said the PFF official.