[1] The competition was scheduled to be played in Dalang, China from 26 March to 1 April 2018.

[3] The host nation and the defending champion are qualified automatically and take one berth from their own subzones.

Initially, sixteen (16) teams were named as qualified to compete,[4] but according to the tournament's official website, there were only thirteen (13) teams left to participate.

In the final round, the teams that finished second and third in their respective groups would play in the qualifications to quarterfinals of the final round, while the group winners automatically qualify to the quarterfinals proper.

[6] The official draw was held on 6 March 2017 in Beijing.