CAN 2027 qualifiers draw sets stage for intense African football battles

Key outcomes of the CAN 2027 qualifiers draw revealed

The highly anticipated draw for the CAN 2027 qualifiers was conducted in Cairo this past Tuesday, finalizing the matchups for the 48 competing nations. Each team is now assigned to one of 12 groups, with the top two finishers in each group advancing to the tournament’s group stage. The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, promises high-stakes competition as nations vie for a coveted spot.

Match schedule and timeline

The qualifying campaign kicks off with two matchdays in September and October 2026, followed by the concluding fixtures set for March 2027. Teams will battle across six months, with intensity peaking as they push for qualification.

Group breakdowns: who faces whom in the CAN 2027 qualifiers

Here’s how the 12 groups are structured for the road to the 2027 AFCON finals:

• Group A: Morocco, Gabon, Niger, Lesotho
• Group B: Egypt, Angola, Malawi, South Sudan
• Group C: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Gambia, Somalia
• Group D: South Africa, Guinea, Kenya, Eritrea
• Group E: DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe
• Group F: Burkina Faso, Benin, Mauritania, Central African Republic
• Group G: Cameroon, Comoros, Namibia, Congo
• Group H: Tunisia, Uganda, Libya, Botswana
• Group I: Algeria, Zambia, Togo, Burundi
• Group J: Senegal, Mozambique, Sudan, Ethiopia
• Group K: Mali, Cape Verde, Rwanda, Liberia
• Group L: Nigeria, Madagascar, Tanzania, Guinea-Bissau

With the path to Egypt 2027 now clear, anticipation builds as teams prepare for a gripping qualifying journey across West Africa, East Africa, and beyond. Expect fierce rivalries, underdog surprises, and strategic masterstrokes in the coming months.