Asian Football Confederation (AFC)

• The 14 lowest ranking Asian teams in the FIFA World Ranking as at 22 October 2003 participate, on a home and away basis, with the 7 winners progressing to the second stage.

• These 7 teams plus the remaining 25 teams will be drawn into eight groups of 4 teams each. The winners of each group advance to the next stage.

• These 8 teams will be drawn into two groups of 4 teams each. The winners and runner-ups of each group qualify directly for the final competition of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany (tm).
• The third-placed team from each group compete in a play-off on a home-and-away basis to qualify for the play-off with North, Central America and the Carribean/CONCACAF.
• The winner will qualify for the final competition of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany (tm).