2021 AFC Cup qualifying play-offs

The following 7 teams, split into five zones (West Asia Zone, Central Asia Zone, South Asia Zone, ASEAN Zone, East Asia Zone), entered the qualifying play-offs, consisting of three rounds: • 4 teams entered in the preliminary round 1. • 3 teams entered in the preliminary round 2. ==Format==

In the qualifying play-offs, each tie was played as a single match. Extra time and penalty shoot-out were used to decide the winner if necessary. ==Schedule==

The schedule of each round was as follows. ==Bracket==

The bracket of the qualifying play-offs for each zone was determined based on each team's association ranking, with the team from the higher-ranked association hosting the match. The one winner of preliminary round 2 (from ASEAN Zone) and one winner of the play-off round (from South Zone) advanced to the group stage to join the 35 direct entrants. Play-off West Asia • Both teams advanced to Group C. {{#invoke:RoundN|main Play-off South Asia • Bengaluru advanced to Group D. Play-off ASEAN 1 • Winners of Preliminary round 2 would have advanced to Group G. {{#invoke:RoundN|main Play-off ASEAN 2 • Persipura Jayapura advanced to Group H, while Visakha and Lalenok United advanced to Group I. ==Preliminary round 1==

Summary A total of four teams played in the preliminary round 1. South Asia Zone ---- ==Preliminary round 2==

Summary A total of eight teams played in the preliminary round 2: six teams which entered in this round, and two winners of the preliminary round 1. South Asia Zone ---- ASEAN Zone ---- ==Play-off round==

Summary A total of eight teams played in the play-off round: four teams which entered in this round, and four winners of the preliminary round 2. West Asia Zone South Asia Zone ASEAN Zone ---- ==Notes==