Following preliminary qualifying matches in 2003, main qualifying consists of 8 groups of 4. 

The 8 winners then play a further stage of qualifying in 2 groups of 4.  The winners and runners-up in each group qualify for the World Cup finals. 

The winners of a play-off between the 2 third-placed teams then play off against the fourth-placed side from the Concacaf zone, with the winner of that play-off going to Germany.

Asian Qualifying Stage 2