With the Asian Football Confederation currently reviewing the format of the AFC Champions League between 2009 and 2010 season, significant changes were made in the way the competition is run, the teams that will qualify for the AFC Cup is also expected to be from different countries compared to the previous editions.

[1] A total of 33 clubs were due to participate in the 2010 AFC Cup (eventually reduced to 31).

3 Negeri Sembilan FA (second representative of Malaysia) withdrew, and was replaced by Persiwa Wamena.

[9] Each club plays double round-robin (home and away) against fellow three group members, a total of 6 matches each.

The clubs are ranked according to points and tie breakers are in following order: Winners and runners-up of each group will qualify for the next round.