A total of 5 countries will qualify out of Africa for the 2018 World Cup. Three qualification games were played back in 2015, and they are due to be completed next year. The first round saw 26 teams take part (ranked between 28-53). The teams played home and away legs, with the winning side going through to the next round.

That saw 40 left to compete for the places 1-27 being seeded, and joined by the 13 from the first round. Stopira's seeded Cape Verde were paired with Kenya and they beat them 2-1 on aggregate. That resulted in the progressing through to the third round and a place in the last 20. A total of give groups consisting of four teams each were drawn. Matches will be played over a home and away basis and the five group winners will secure a place at the 2018 World Cup finals. 

Cape Verde are in Group D and they will contest together with Senegal, Burkina Faso and South Africa.