The first round of CAF matches for 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification was played from 7 to 17 October 2015.
The draw for the first round was held as part of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Preliminary Draw on 25 July 2015, starting 18:00 MSK (UTC+3), at the Konstantinovsky Palace in Strelna, Saint Petersburg, Russia.
[2][3][4] The seeding was based on the FIFA World Rankings of July 2015 (shown in parentheses).
Chad won on the away goals rule and advanced to the second round against Egypt.
[note 5] Burundi won 3–0 on aggregate and advanced to the second round against DR Congo.