2004 AFC Asian Cup qualification

The qualification process for the 2004 AFC Asian Cup football competition began in March 2003. Out of the 45 AFC members, only Cambodia and the Philippines failed to enter for the tournament. Both China, the hosts and Japan, the reigning champions automatically qualified for the finals. The lowest ranked 20 teams were placed in 6 preliminary qualifying groups of 3 and one group of 2, with the group winners joining the remaining 21 teams in 7 groups of 4. The top two of each of these groups qualified for the finals in China.

2004 AFC Asian Cup qualification
Tournament details
Dates21 March 2003 – 3 December 2003
Teams43 (from 1 confederation)
Tournament statistics
Top scorer(s)Iraq Younis Mahmoud
South Korea Kim Do-hoon
Saudi Arabia Yusri Al Bashah
(7 goals each)
2000
2007