1990 FIFA World Cup Qualification (CAF) - Format

Format

• First Round: Algeria, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria and Zaire, the eight best ranked teams according to FIFA, received byes and advanced to the Second Round directly. The remaining sixteen teams were paired up to play knockout matches on a home-and-away basis. The winners would advance to the Second Round.
• Second Round: The eight winners from the first round were joined by the eight seeded teams and divided into four groups of four teams each. The teams would play against each other on a home-and-away basis. The group winners would advance to the Final Round.
• Final Round: The four remaining teams were paired up to play knockout matches on a home-and-away basis. The winners would qualify.