2022 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Dates | TBA |
| Teams | 45 (from 1 confederation) |
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) makes 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification as qualifying tournament for 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 AFC Asian Cup. On 2 December 2010, Qatar was chosen to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Format
Qatar was automatically qualified to the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals as the host. The latest FIFA World Rankings will be released in January 2019. The qualification structure is as follows:
- First round: A total of 10 teams (teams ranked 36–45) will play home-and-away over two legs. The five winners will advance to the second round.
- Second round: A total of 40 teams (teams ranked 1–35 and five first round winners) will be divided into eight groups of five teams to play home-and-away round-robin matches. The eight group winners and the four best group runners-up will advance to the third round of FIFA World Cup qualification as well as qualify for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup finals.
- Third round: The 12 teams which advance from the second round will be divided into two groups of six teams to play home-and-away round-robin matches. The top two teams of each group will qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and the two third-placed teams will advance to the fourth round.
- Fourth round: The two third-placed teams of each group from the third round will play home-and-away over two legs. The winner will advance to the inter-confederation play-offs.
A total of 24 teams eliminated from World Cup qualification in the second round will compete in the third round of 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualification (which will be separate from the third round of 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification), where they will be divided into six groups of four teams and compete for the remaining slots of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup. The 24 teams will consist of the 16 highest ranked teams eliminated in the second round, and the eight teams that advance from the play-off round of 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualification which are contested by the remaining 12 teams eliminated in the second round.
Second round
Groups
| Teams compete to 2023 AFC Asian Cup and third round | |
| Teams compete to 2023 AFC Asian Cup and third round or 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualifying third round | |
| Teams compete to 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualifying third round | |
| Teams compete to 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualifying third round or play-off | |
| Teams compete to 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualifying play-off |
Ranking of runner-up teams
| Teams compete to third round and 2023 AFC Asian Cup | |
| Teams compete to 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualifying third round |
Ranking of fourth-placed teams
| Teams compete to 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualifying third round | |
| Teams compete to 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualifying play-off |
Third round
The third round will consist of two groups of six teams. The first two teams in each group will qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The two third-placed teams will proceed to the fourth round.
Fourth round
The two third-placed teams in each group from the third round will play against each other home-and-away over two legs to determine which team will advance to the inter-confederation play-offs.
Inter-confederation play-offs
The winner of the fourth round will face the national team from outside the AFC (except UEFA and CAF).