The road to the next Africa Cup of Nations has officially taken shape, with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirming that the draw for the AFCON 2027 qualifiers will be held on 19 May 2026.
A total of 48 national teams are expected to enter the qualification campaign, all competing for a place at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda under the banner “Pamoja” — a Swahili word meaning “together.”
The qualifiers will see the teams divided into 12 groups of four, with only the top two sides from each group progressing to the final tournament. The format is expected to produce a highly competitive campaign, as traditional football powerhouses and emerging nations battle for continental slots.
CAF has also outlined the match windows for the qualifiers, with fixtures scheduled across three international breaks: September to October 2026, November 2026, and March 2027. These periods will determine the final lineup of teams heading to East Africa for what is expected to be a historic edition of the tournament.
The 2027 finals mark a significant milestone for the region, as it will be the first time Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda jointly host Africa’s flagship football competition. With infrastructure projects underway and regional collaboration intensifying, anticipation continues to grow.
As the countdown to the draw begins, attention now shifts to the group pairings — a moment that could shape the fortunes of several nations on their journey to AFCON 2027.
