The top five seeded countries Australia, Korea Republic, Saudi Arabia, Japan and Iran all get a bye into the third round

The remaining 38 countries play in a knock out first round with ties being played home and away

The eight countries seedest lowest that win their first round ties will then be drawn in a knock out second round with the winners of these four ties proceeding into the third round

The third round will consist of of five groups of four teams with the top team and runners-up proceeding into round four.

The fourth round will consist of two groups of five teams with the top team and runners up qualifying for the 2010 Finals.

The third team in each group will then play each other home and away with the winners playing the winners of the Oceania Confederation qualification matches for a place in the 2010 Finals