Process:

32 qualified asian teams will be divided into 8 groups consisting of 4 teams.   The competition will be conducted on a league basis with teams playing each of their group rivals twice on a home-and-away basis throughout the course of 2004.   Top team in each group will qualify for final round of qualifications.  The last 8 qualified teams will be divided into 2 groups of 8 teams.  The competition will be conducted on a league basis with teams playing each of their group rivals twice on a home-and-away basis.  The top 2 teams out of each group will qualify directly for World cup in Germany.  Both 3rd placed teams will meet in a playoff and the winner will play a CONCACAF team.  The winner goes to world cup 2006 in Germany.