The AFC U-16 Women's Championship took place between 8 and 17 March 2007 in Malaysia. Korea DPR clinched an impressive victory, capped with 4-1 and 3-0 wins over fellow qualifiers Korea Republic and Japan in the semi-finals and final respectively.

Nigeria became the first African side to qualify for New Zealand 2008 when they beat Cameroon 3-0 on 22 June. Ghana took the second and final berth from the six-game triangular qualifying tournament on 5 July with a decisive 2-1 victory in Cameroon.

France, England, Denmark and Germany secured Europe's four berths in March and April 2008 by topping their respective sections in the second qualifying round of the UEFA European Women's U-17 Championship. This came after 16 teams emerged from the 40-strong first round.

USA and Costa Rica took North, Central America and the Caribbean's first slots when they won their respective CONCACAF Women's U-17 Championship semi-finals at the Marvin Lee Stadium in Macoya, Trinidad and Tobago. Canada claimed the third and final place by virtue of being Mexico in the match for third place.

There was no OFC preliminary competition, with New Zealand qualifying automatically as hosts.

Colombia, Brazil and Paraguay emerged triumphant from a 10-strong field at the CONMEBOL Women's U-17 Championship between 12 and 30 January 2008 in Chile to claim South America's three available slots. The Colombians led the way, topping the final stage standings on goal difference, and were followed closely by Brazil and Paraguay, who narrowly edged out Argentina.

The host country qualifies automatically.