2010 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC third round

The AFC third round of 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification was decided by a random draw which was conducted in Durban, South Africa on 25 November 2007. The round began on 6 February 2008 and finished on 22 June 2008.

The top two countries in each group at the end of the stage progressed to the fourth round, where the ten remaining teams will be divided into two groups of five.

Format
The 20 teams (five teams given a bye directly to the third round, 11 highest-ranked winners from the first round, and four winners from the second round) were divided into four pots for the draw, each containing five teams. The pots were drawn as follows:

The 20 teams were split into five groups of four teams each, with all teams playing home and away against each of the other three teams in the group.

The top two teams in each group qualified for the fourth round.