Qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations—set for summer in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda—has begun with fierce competition and early surprises. Fifty-four nations started the campaign, aiming to secure one of 24 coveted tournament berths.
Qualification Format and Early Action
The AFCON 2027 qualification process involves 54 teams, with 24 initial teams battling through preliminary rounds in March 2026 for places in the group stage. Now underway, the group stage has already provided dramatic results and highlighted some of the continent’s rising football powers.
Preliminary round highlights included Burundi’s resounding 8-0 win over Chad, while Somalia edged past Mauritius on penalties. Lesotho, Eritrea, and Ethiopia also advanced, showing the competitive depth in the early rounds.
Key Group Stage Results and Standings
The first round of group-stage matches, held across three days in late September 2026, featured closely contested fixtures and some commanding performances.
In Group A, Morocco began their campaign with a solid 2-0 victory over Gabon, while Niger secured three points against Lesotho. Group C saw Ivory Coast defeat Ghana 2-0 and The Gambia win against Somalia. Cameroon and Namibia also secured early wins in Group G, while Mali and Rwanda both started strong in Group K.
Other notable results included Egypt’s goalless draw with Angola in Group B and Mozambique holding Senegal to a 1-1 draw in Group J. As the table stands, several groups are tightly poised, with multiple teams tied on points.
Looking Ahead to a Historic Tournament
The road leads to East Africa, with Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda set to co-host the main competition from June 19 to July 17, 2027. The tournament aims to rebound from a controversial preceding final marred by Senegal and Morocco’s disputed conclusion, where the trophy was ultimately awarded to Morocco.
With more matches scheduled over the coming weeks—including prominent clashes such as Lesotho vs. Morocco and Ghana vs. Gambia—the qualification battle will only intensify. After the opening results, the race for a spot at AFCON 2027 is wide open, with traditional giants and emerging nations alike striving to reach next summer’s finals.
