4.5 finals berths
3rd stage
The 20 countries have been drawn in round-robin groups:
Group 1
Australia
China
Iraq
Qatar
Group 2
Bahrain
Japan
Oman
Thailand
Group 3
Jordan
North Korea
South Korea
Turkmenistan
Group 4
Lebanon
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
Uzbekistan
Group 5
Iran
Kuwait
Syria
United Arab Emirates
The group winners and runners-up will advance to the 4th stage.
4th stage
The 10 countries will be drawn in two five-team round-robin groups, from which the winners and runners-up will qualify for the finals. The two third-placed countries will meet in a two-leg play-off, the winners of which will meet the Oceania section winners in a two-leg tie for a place in the finals.