All 54 CAF member nations were eligible to enter the qualifying competition and a total of 25 national teams were in the qualifying draw which was announced on 21 February 2019. The seven teams which had the best performance at
the previous edition of the qualifying competition were given a bye to the second round. Despite competing in the qualifying competition, Equatorial Guinea were banned by FIFA from qualifying for the 2020 Summer Olympics. ;Notes • Teams in
bold qualified for the Olympics •
(D): Disqualified after draw •
(W): Withdrew after draw ;Did not enter • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ==Format==