[1][2][3] The tournament was created by the Asian Football Confederation as a replacement for the AFC Challenge Cup which was played for the last time in 2014.

Six teams were eligible to compete after losing in the first round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup/2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification competition, while three teams were eligible to compete after losing in the play-off round 2 of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification competition.

[4] The following six teams qualified after losing in the first round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup/2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification competition: The following three teams qualified after losing in the play-off round 2 of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification competition: The tournament was held in Kuching at the Sarawak Stadium and Sarawak State Stadium.

[4] The draw took place on 8 September 2016, 15:00 MYT (UTC+8), at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

[9] The tournament's format would change depending upon the number of teams that agree to partake in the competition.