Philippines v Maldives

Venue: New Clark City Athletics Stadium (Capas)

Kick-off: 19:00 (UTC+8)

Tajikistan v Timor-Leste

Venue: Republic Central Stadium (Dushanbe)

Kick-off: 16:00 (UTC+5)

On paper, the battle for the sole qualifying spot from Group A looks to be between the Philippines and Tajikistan.

Philippines are seeking a return to the continental stage after missing out on the previous edition - having qualified for the first time in 2019 and will target a winning start against Maldives.

Tajikistan were debutants at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, with the Central Asian side winning hearts with their run to the quarter-finals and barring the unexpected, they should kick off their campaign with three points against Timor-Leste.

Bhutan v Yemen

Venue: Changlimithang Stadium (Thimphu)

Kick-off: 18:00 (UTC+6)

Lebanon v Brunei Darussalam

Venue: Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Stadium (Al Wakrah)

Kick-off: 21:30 (UTC+3)

Lebanon are the obvious favourites, having featured in the last two editions, and will be confident of kicking off with victory against Brunei Darussalam, who have never previously qualified.

Yemen will be seeking a return after missing out on the 2023 edition and look too strong for a Bhutan side seeking a first appearance on the continental stage.

Singapore v Hong Kong, China

Venue: National Stadium (Singapore)

Kick-off: 20:30 (UTC+8)

India v Bangladesh

Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Shillong)

Kick-off: 19:00 (UTC+5:30)

A tough group to call with all four teams believing they can advance.

Hong Kong, China made a return to the continental stage at the 2023 edition after a lapse of 56 years and will be eager to kick off their campaign with victory against Singapore.

Singapore, however, are equally determined to return to Finals for the first time since 1984, setting the stage for a cracking affair.

India have qualified for the last two editions - a first for the South Asian nation - and such is their determination to make it a hat-trick that the talismanic Sunil Chettri has been lured out of international retirement to power their challenge.

Bangladesh, however, are familiar foes and India will have to be at their best to defeat their South Asian rivals.

Chinese Taipei v Turkmenistan

Venue: Kaohsiung National Stadium (Gaoxiong)

Kick-off: 18:30 (UTC+8)

Thailand v Sri Lanka

Venue: Rajamangala Stadium (Bangkok)

Kick-off: 19:30 (UTC+7)

Thailand will be the team to beat with the Southeast Asian nation desperate for redemption after missing out on the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26.

Sri Lanka are seeking a first qualification but given Thailand's quality, the South Asian side face a tough test at the Rajamangala Stadium.

Turkmenistan look to be Thailand's toughest hurdle, with the Central Asian side having missed the last edition after qualifying in 2019. Chinese Taipei's last appearance was in 1968 and the East Asian side will try to derail Turkmenistan at the first hurdle.

Myanmar v Afghanistan

Venue: Thuwunna Stadium (Yangon)

Kick-off: 17:00 (UTC++6:30)

Syria v Pakistan

Venue: Prince Abdullah Bin Jalawi Stadium (Al Ahsa)

Kick-off: 21:00 (UTC+3)

Syria will be the team to beat in Group E, with the West Asian side having qualified for the last two editions of the AFC Asian Cup.

Playing at a neutral venue is unlikely to stop Syria from starting with a win, and Pakistan must be at thejr best if they are to get something out of the match.

Myanmar's only appearance was in 1968 but they will fancy their chances of defeating an Afghanistan side seeking qualification for the first time.

Vietnam v Laos

Venue: Binh Duong Stadium (Binh Duong)

Kick-off: 19:30 (UTC+7)

Malaysia v Nepal

Venue: Sultan Ibrahim (Johor Bahru)

Kick-off: 22:00 (UTC+8)

Vietnam are another nation seeking redemption after failing to qualify for the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26.

Standing in their way on Tuesday are Laos, with Malaysia another Southeast Asian rival they will have to contend with.

Malaysia made a return to the continental tournament at Qatar 2023 after a lapse of 16 years and will start as favourites against Nepal but they will do well to tread carefully, with the South Asian side having defeated Singapore in a friendly last week.