In Asia, the first round ran from 17 to 25 February 2007, followed by a second round from 7 April to 12 August 2007. Japan and Korea DPR finished on top of their respective groups to join China PR, who qualified automatically as hosts, at the finals in Beijing.

With England ineligble, Germany and Norway qualified for the 2008 Women's Olympic Football Tournament as the top two European finishers at the FIFA Women's World Cup China 2007 (10-30 September 2007). The third European slot was decided by a play-off, with Sweden beating Denmark 7-3 on aggregate to take it.

The final qualifying group took place in Mexico in April of 2008, with Canada, Mexico, USA, Costa Rica (Central America), Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago (Caribbean) doing battle for CONCACAF's two allocated slots. After Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico and USA progressed from the initial group stage, Canada and the US won their respective semi-finals to book a place at Beijing 2008.

Papua New Guinea, winner of the XIII South Pacific Games, will contest a two-match play-off with New Zealand on 8 and 12 March 2008. The agregate winner will become the lone Oceania representative at the Women's Olympic Football Tournament in Beijing.

Argentina beat Brazil 2-0 on 27 November 2006 to win the South American Women's Championship and qualify automatically. The Brazilians managed to book their place despite the loss, beating Ghana on 19 April 2008 in Beijing to round out the 12-team field for the finals.

China PR, as the host country, qualify automatically.