2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying - Probable Asian format

I made a mistake in this Asian World Cup seeding post, as jonny pointed out in this comment. I assumed the qualifiers will start in October 2011 with the draw taking place in August 2011 - using the same time table as last time.

Actually, the first round will take place this year in October. Probably the draw will take place in August.

I managed to find the 2014 World Cup Asian qualifying format (sort of), by checking the AFC calendar of competitions for 2010 - 2014.

AFC seem pretty sure of keeping their 4.5 spots - or at least that's how I see it - with round 5 and 6 used for play-off purposes.

10 match days in round 4 - possible groups of 6 teams, but I think it will be groups of 5 teams, as amir pointed out.

Round 1 and 2 are a bit tricky - round 1 in particular. Will teams qualified for Qatar 2011 be involved in the first round?

Most likely format:

Round 1

MD1 - 8 October 2010
MD2 - 12 October 2010

Round 2

MD1 - 25 March 2011
MD2 - 29 March 2011

Round 3

Most likely there will be a draw in April or May 2011.
5 groups of 4 teams - winners and runner-ups go to the next round.

MD1 - 7 June 2011
MD2 - 6 September 2011
MD3 - 11 October 2011
MD4 - 11 November 2011
MD5 - 15 November 2011
MD6 - 29 February 2012

Round 4

A draw for this round will take place sometime before May 2012.
2 groups of 5 teams. Winners and runner-ups qualify for Brazil 2014.

MD1 - 9 June 2012
MD2 - 13 June 2012
MD3 - 11 September 2012
MD4 - 16 October 2012
MD5 - 14 November 2012
MD6 - 22 March 2013
MD7 - 26 March 2013
MD8 - 4 June 2013
MD9 - 11 June 2013
MD10 - 18 June 2013

Round 5

AFC play-off (third placed teams)

MD1 - 6 September 2013
MD2 - 10 September 2013

Round 6

Intercontinental play-off

MD1 - 15 October 2013
MD2 - 15 November 2013

For those interested, these are the 2015 Asian Cup qualifying dates:

Asian Cup

Round 1

MD1 - 1 September 2012
MD2 - 5 September 2012

Round 2

MD1 - 2 February 2013
MD2 - 6 February 2013
MD3 - 15 October 2013
MD4 - 15 November 2013
MD5 - 19 November 2013
MD6 - 5 March 2014

I think AMD stands for Alternative Match Day - 11, 18 and 25 January 2014.

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Christian, husband, father x 3, programmer, Romanian. Started the blog in March 2007. Quit in April 2018. You can find me on LinkedIn.