The 2010 AFC Challenge Cup qualification phase saw five teams advance to the finals to join three automatic qualifiers in the final tournament in Sri Lanka.
Macau advanced to the group phase on the away goals rule.
Qualification was officially scheduled to take place from 2–13 April 2009, although the actual dates began before and extended beyond that.
Notes on the tie-breaking situation: The final tournament, consisting of 8 teams, was eventually held from 16–27 February in Sri Lanka.
[5] The eight teams that qualified for the final tournament are: The draw for the final tournament was done on 30 November 2009 at the Galadri Hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka.