[1] As per the decision of the CAF Executive Committee on 20 July 2017, a total of 24 teams qualified to play in the final tournament.

They consisted of the 45 teams which entered directly, plus the three winners of the preliminary round whose identity was not known at the time of the draw.

[6] On 20 July 2017, when the first round of the qualifying group stage had already been played, the final tournament was expanded from 16 to 24 teams.

The team lost its automatic spot for the finals but still could qualify through the qualification process, which it eventually did.

If tied on points, tiebreakers were applied in the following order (Regulations Article 14):[1] The following 24 teams qualified for the final tournament.