The play-off round of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualification was played between 7 and 12 October 2021.
[1] It was originally scheduled for 3–8 September, 13 October and 17 November 2020, but the AFC changed the dates due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Asia.
[4] The play-off losers would have joined the six teams which lost in the Asian Cup qualifying first round.
[5] The draw for the play-off round was held on 24 June 2021, 15:00 MYT (UTC+8), at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
[1] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these fixtures were held in neutral grounds, with Bahrain and Thailand hosting these occasions.