Including the first round qualifiers, 196 matches will be played in AFC qualifying through to the end of the fifth round, which will decide the AFC nation that heads to the FIFA Play-Off Tournament. The first round was made up of 20 matches, while the second round will host 108 games. The third round adds a further 60 matches to the calendar, the fourth round consists of just six games which determine the two sides that will head into a two-legged, winner-takes-all fifth round match-up.

After edging past Cambodia in the first round, Pakistan head into the group stage ranked 193rd in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking. They are the lowest-ranked side remaining in qualifying.

Korea Republic lead the way in terms of AFC qualifying victories, having won 94 games to date. Australia have won 95 of their qualifiers, but competed in Oceania’s qualification system up until Germany 2006 qualifying.

Of teams to have won more than 50 AFC qualifiers, IR Iran have the largest win percentage: 63. They have won 92 of their 146 matches.