2021 AFC Cup qualifying play-offs
The 2021 AFC Cup qualifying play-offs were played from 7 April to 15 August 2021. A total of seven teams competed in the qualifying play-offs to decide three of the 38 places in the group stage of the 2021 AFC Cup.
Teams
The following 7 teams, split into five zones, entered the qualifying play-offs, consisting of three rounds:- 4 teams entered in the preliminary round 1.
- 3 teams entered in the preliminary round 2.
Format
In the qualifying play-offs, each tie was played as a single match. Extra time and penalty shoot-out were used to decide the winner if necessary.
Schedule
The schedule of each round was as follows.| Round | West Asia Zone | South Asia Zone | ASEAN Zone |
| Preliminary round 1 | Not played | 7 April 2021 | Not played |
| Preliminary round 2 | Not played | 14 April 2021 | Cancelled |
| Play-off round | Cancelled | 15 August 2021 | Cancelled |
Bracket
The bracket of the qualifying play-offs for each zone was determined based on each team's association ranking, with the team from the higher-ranked association hosting the match. The one winner of preliminary round 2 and one winner of the play-off round advanced to the group stage to join the 35 direct entrants.
Play-off West Asia
- Both teams advanced to Group C.
Play-off South Asia
Play-off ASEAN 1
- Winners of Preliminary round 2 would have advanced to Group G.
Play-off ASEAN 2
- Persipura Jayapura advanced to Group H, while Visakha and Lalenok United advanced to Group I.