The 1996 AFC Asian Cup qualification involved 33 participating teams. The United Arab Emirates (hosts) and Japan (holders) qualified automatically for the 1996 AFC Asian Cup.
Group 1 All matches played in Vietnam. Times listed as UTC+07:00.
Group 2
All matches played in Hong Kong.
Group 3
All matches played in Singapore and Thailand in a double round-robin format.
Group 4
All matches played in Malaysia
Group 5
All matches played in Iran and Oman in a double round-robin format.
Group 6
All matches played in Jordan
Group 7
All matches played on a home and away double round-robin format.
Group 8
Uzbekistan won 5–4 on aggregate.
Group 9
All matches played in Saudi Arabia
Group 10
All matches played on a home and away double round-robin format.
Qualified teams Team Qualified as Qualified on Previous appearance 29 April 1993 8 November 1992 11 August 1996 4 February 1996 9 July 1996 4 March 1996 0 (debut) 21 June 1996 13 August 1996 19 July 1996 19 June 1996 0 (debut) 2 February 1996 20 June 1996
References
Stokkermans, Karel. "Asian Nations Cup 1996". RSSSF. Courtney, Barrie "1996 MATCHES". RSSSF.