The third round of CAF matches for 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification was played from 7 October 2016 to 14 November 2017.

The draw for the third round was held on 24 June 2016, 17:00 EET (UTC+2), at the CAF headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.

This allowed the rankings to include results of the Africa Cup of Nations qualification games played between 3–5 June 2016.

[2] However, following a complaint by the Egyptian Football Association, it was reported that a further special ranking would be used.

[4] Following further complaints,[5] the Emergency Bureau for the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers reversed the change, and restored the initial special rankings.