The path to the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 is now set, as the CAF draw in Cairo confirmed the qualifying groups for the continent’s premier football tournament. Held at the Egyptian Football Association headquarters on Tuesday, the draw saw 48 nations divided into 12 groups of four, each battling for a coveted spot at the finals.
The 2027 AFCON finals will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda from June 19 to July 17, 2027, marking a historic collaboration in East African football.
Morocco, the reigning champions, were drawn into Group A alongside Gabon, Niger, and Lesotho. The North Africans enter the qualifiers as holders after CAF awarded them the 2023 title, following Senegal’s forfeiture of the previous final.
Several groups promise fierce competition. Group C will feature a high-stakes clash between Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Gambia, and Somalia, while Group J sees Senegal, Mozambique, Sudan, and Ethiopia vie for top spots.
Although Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda automatically qualify for the 2027 finals as hosts, they will still compete in the qualifiers. In these groups, only one additional team will advance to the tournament.
Other Notable Groups
Group D: South Africa, Guinea, Kenya, Eritrea
Group L: Nigeria, Madagascar, Tanzania, Guinea-Bissau
The AFCON 2027 qualifiers will be played across three FIFA international windows, accommodating the shortened tournament calendar leading up to the finals.
