The draw for the CAF group phase of qualifiers for Russia 2018 was held on FRI 24 JUN 2016, and it has set stern challenges for many teams. Of the five nations that have represented Africa at each of the last two Men’s World Cups, three – Algeria, Cameroon, and Nigeria – are in the same group, meaning that at least two will miss out this time.

The Fennec Foxes of Algeria, currently the top African side in the FIFA rankings, must make their way past the Indomitable Lions and the Super Eagles in Group B.

Egypt, controversially relegated to the second pot, landed in Group E with Ghana and Congo. The team that ended up in the first pot instead, Tunisia, are in Group A, where they face Congo DR and Guinea.

The teams will play six matches, two each against their three group opponents, from OCT 2016-NOV 2017. The top team in each group qualifies for the Men’s World Cup.

• Group A: Tunisia, Libya, Congo DR, Guinea
• Group B: Zambia, Cameroon, Algeria, Nigeria
• Group C: Gabon, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, Morocco
• Group D: Senegal, South Africa, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde
• Group E: Ghana, Egypt, Congo, Uganda