Qualification for the Asian Football Confederation's 1988 AFC Asian Cup finals held in Qatar between 2 and 18 December. Saudi Arabia defeated Republic of Korea in the final match in Doha.
1988 AFC Asian Cup qualification|
| Dates | 4 February 1988 – 22 June 1988 |
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| Teams | 20 (from 1 confederation) |
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|
International football competition
Groups
Qualification
Group 1
Group 2
- All matches played in Malaysia.
- Iraq were originally drawn in this group, but they withdrew on 6 April 1988 in protest at the AFC changing the fixtures schedule at late notice.[1]
Group 3
- All matches played in Nepal.
Group 4
Qualified teams
| Team
|
Qualified as
|
Qualified on
|
Previous appearance
|
 Qatar |
Hosts |
N/A |
2 (1980, 1984)
|
 Saudi Arabia |
1984 AFC Asian Cup champions |
16 December 1984 |
1 (1984)
|
 United Arab Emirates |
Group 1 winners |
17 February 1988 |
1 (1980, 1984)
|
 China |
Group 1 runners-up |
16 February 1988 |
3 (1976, 1980, 1984)
|
 Kuwait |
Group 2 winners |
18 April 1988 |
4 (1972, 1976, 1980, 1984)
|
 Japan |
Group 2 runners-up |
18 April 1988 |
0 (debut)
|
 Syria |
Group 3 winners |
3 June 1988 |
2 (1980, 1984)
|
 Iran |
Group 3 runners-up |
4 June 1988 |
5 (1968, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1984)
|
 Bahrain |
Group 4 winners |
22 June 1988 |
0 (debut)
|
 South Korea |
Group 4 runners-up |
22 June 1988 |
6 (1956, 1960, 1964, 1972, 1980, 1984)
|
References
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| Champions | |
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| Runners-up | |
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| Third place | |
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| Fourth place | |
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| Group stage | |
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