2010 AFC U-16 Championship qualification

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Qualification for the 2010 AFC U-16 Championship was decided in a regional group stage. In groups of six, the winner and runner-up qualified for the finals. In the one group with three teams, only the group winner qualified. In addition, the best third-placed team among the six-team groups also advanced to the finals.

The draw for the qualifiers was held at AFC House on 20 February 2009. A total of 45 teams entered the qualifying competition. The West Zone had 24 teams and was drawn into four groups of six. The East Zone had 21 teams and was drawn into three groups of six and one group of three.

All matches were held in various host cities across Asia, including Kuala Lumpur, Kathmandu, Sana'a, Al Ain, Bacolod, Hebei, Bangkok and Canberra.

After the first stage, the third-placed teams from the seven groups of six were compared to find the best third-placed team to advance. Because Sri Lanka, Mongolia and Maldives withdrew, three groups had one fewer team; in calculating the third-placed rankings, matches against the sixth-placed team were not counted. As a result, only four matches per team counted toward determining the best third-placed team.