The qualification for the 1956 AFC Asian Cup consisted of 19 teams separated in three zones. The winner of each zone would join hosts Hong Kong in the final tournament. Qualification was done on a two-legged format, home and away games.
Central zone
First round
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First leg
Second leg
Malaya won 11–5 on aggregate.
Second round
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First leg
Second leg
South Vietnam won 7–3 on aggregate.
Third round
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Eastern zone
First round
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Second round
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First leg
Second leg
South Korea won 5–0 on aggregate.
Third round
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First leg
Second leg
South Korea won 4–1 on aggregate.
Western zone
First round
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Second round
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Third round
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Qualified teams
Goal scorers
10 Goals
Abdul Ghani Minhat
3 Goals
Pang Siang Hock
2 Goals
Trần Văn Nhung
Đỗ Quang Thách
Nguyễn Văn Tu
Nguon Tuy
Lung
Choi Jung-min
Woo Sang-kwon
Kim Hong-woo
Kim Dong-keun
1 Goal
Lê Hữu Đức
Reith Peon
Chu Wing-keung
Sung Nak-woon
References
Jovanovic, Bojan; Panahi, Majeed; Veroeveren, Pieter. "Asian Nations Cup 1956". RSSSF.