With the Asian Cup 2023 getting closer and closer, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has today released 22 out of the 24 teams who have advanced into the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Qualifiers Final Round. Football Monk takes a look at the road map, created by AFC going forward to the AFC Asian Cup China 2023.
The qualifiers
The host of event China PR and Reigning Asian champions Qatar have already acquired their places for the continental competition. Apart from them, after the conclusion of join Qualifiers Round 2, 11 more nations have secured their spot for the competition which is going to take place from 16th June to 16th July 2023.
Apart from that, the three lowest-ranked second-place teams, all eight third and fourth-place teams across Groups A to H, as well as the three best fifth-place teams (a total of 22 teams) have qualified for the final round of qualification.
The play-offs
A play-off round will also be arranged for the remainder of four Participating nations (ranked 36-39). They will compete in the two-legged play-offs which will be played on 7th September and 12th October 2021. The draw of those play-offs will take place on 24th June 2021.
List of Nations
The following 22 teams have qualified for the final round of Qualifiers by virtue of their concluding positions in the Asian Qualifiers Round 2.
Nations to participate in the Qualifiers:
14 Tajikistan Lowest second-place teams from the Preliminary Joint Qualifiers Round 2(Ranked 14 to 16)
15 Uzbekistan
16 Kuwait
17 Bahrain Third-place teams from the Preliminary Joint Qualifiers Round 2(Ranked 17 to 24)
18 Turkmenistan
19 Jordan
20 Palestine
21 Malaysia
22 Philippines
23 Kyrgyz Republic
24 India
25 Thailand Fourth-place teams from the Preliminary Joint Qualifiers Round 2(Ranked 25 to 32)
26 Singapore
27 Mongolia
28 Afghanistan
29 Hong Kong
30 Maldives
31 Sri Lanka
32 Nepal
33 Myanmar Best fifth-place teams from the Preliminary Joint Qualifiers Round 2 across Groups A to G (All groups except for Group H)
34 Yemen
35 Bangladesh
The following four Participating Teams (ranked 36 to 39) will be drawn to compete in the AFC Asian Cup China 2023™ Qualifiers Play-off, with the two winners qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup China 2023™ Qualifiers Final Round.
Nations to participate in the play-offs:
Lowest ranked fifth-place teams from the Preliminary Joint Qualifiers Round 2 across Groups A to G (All groups except Group H)
36 Indonesia
37 Cambodia
38 Chinese Taipei
39 Guam
Where India stands?
After a crucial draw against Afghanistan last night, India finished 3rd place in the group stage of 2022 Asian WC Qualifiers. This third-place finish over Bangladesh and Afghanistan ensures a direct entry to the 3rd and final round of Qualifiers for the AFC Asian Cup China 2023. With a young and promising side, the Blue Tigers will be looking forward to the upcoming challenges and opportunities at the continental level.
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