Everything You Need to Know About the AFCON 2027 Qualifiers

The qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) kick off this Thursday, featuring 48 nations vying for a place in Africa’s premier football competition. With Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda serving as co-hosts, this marks the first return of AFCON to East Africa in over five decades. This article will delve into the teams involved, the key matches to watch, and all important details related to the tournament.

The Teams in AFCON 2027 Qualifiers

The much-anticipated draw for the AFCON 2027 qualifiers occurred in Cairo, Egypt, back in May. The participating teams are organized into 12 groups as follows:

Group A: Morocco, Gabon, Niger, Lesotho
Group B: Egypt, Angola, Malawi, South Sudan
Group C: Ivory Coast, Ghana, The Gambia, Somalia
Group D: South Africa, Guinea, Kenya, Eritrea
Group E: Democratic Republic of the 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

Highlight Matches for AFCON 2027 Qualifiers

Several key matches are set to take place in the first two rounds of the qualifiers:

Ivory Coast vs Ghana: Thursday, September 24 at 19:00 GMT
Nigeria vs Madagascar: Friday, September 25 at 16:00 GMT
Morocco vs Gabon: Friday, September 25 at 19:00 GMT
Egypt vs Angola: Friday, September 25 at 19:00 GMT
Algeria vs Zambia: Friday, September 25 at 19:00 GMT
Senegal vs Mozambique: Friday, September 25 at 19:00 GMT
South Africa vs Guinea: Saturday, September 26 at 16:00 GMT

AFCON 2027 Qualifiers Schedule

The qualifiers will consist of six rounds scheduled during FIFA international windows:

Rounds 1 and 2: September 21 – October 6, 2026
Rounds 3 and 4: November 9 – 17, 2026
Rounds 5 and 6: March 22 – 30, 2027

How Many Teams Will Qualify for AFCON?

A total of 24 teams will qualify for the AFCON 2027 tournament. The top two teams from each group will secure a spot in the finals, with a special provision for Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, the co-hosts. In their groups, only the highest-ranked team besides the co-hosts will advance. Each team will face off in a home-and-away format, with six matches for every participating nation.

When and Where Will AFCON 2027 Take Place?

The 36th edition of the AFCON will occur from June 19 to July 17, 2027, in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda. This event returns to East Africa after a long absence, featuring matches at ten different stadiums across cities including Dar-es-Salaam, Arusha, and Zanzibar in Tanzania, as well as Nairobi, Hoima, Kampala, and Lira in Uganda.

Recent AFCON Championship Outcome

In the most recent AFCON final held on January 18, Senegal triumphed over Morocco with a score of 1-0, thanks to Pape Gueye’s dramatic extra-time goal, which clinched their second title. However, a controversial decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in March reversed this outcome, awarding the championship to Morocco after a review involving an incident during the match. Senegal has officially appealed this ruling, and the case will be reviewed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on October 8.

Star Players to Watch in AFCON 2027 Qualifiers

Fans can look forward to notable talents such as:

Mohamed Salah: Two-time African Footballer of the Year, representing Egypt.
Brahim Diaz: A standout player for Morocco.
Ayyoub Bouaddi: The exciting young talent leading Morocco’s midfield.
Ademola Lookman: A key figure in Nigeria’s squad.
Samuel Chukwueze: Another critical player for Nigeria.
Mohammed Kudus: Recently returned to Ghana’s lineup after a long injury absence.

Which Players Will Miss AFCON Qualifiers?

Some significant players will be unavailable for the qualifiers:

Achraf Hakimi: Morocco’s captain is suspended for two matches due to past conduct.
Sadio Mane: The Senegalese star is sidelined due to a physical issue.
Victor Osimhen: Nigeria’s striker is recovering from an injury and will miss early matches.
Naby Keita: Will not feature in the Guinea squad.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: Former Gabon captain has announced his retirement from international duty.

How to Follow the AFCON 2027 Qualifiers

Fans eager to catch the action can tune in through various broadcasters:

North Africa and Middle East: beIN SPORTS
Sub-Saharan Africa: SuperSport
East Africa: Azam TV, TBC Tanzania, KBC Kenya
South Africa: SABC Sport
Francophone Africa: Canal+

In addition, Al Jazeera Sport will provide live coverage of select matches.

Conclusion

The AFCON 2027 qualifiers promise an exciting journey as teams compete for a spot in one of Africa’s most prestigious football tournaments. With star players and crucial matches on the horizon, football fans will certainly have plenty to look forward to.

Key Takeaways

The AFCON 2027 qualifiers start Thursday with 48 teams participating.
Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania will co-host the tournament in June 2027.
A total of 24 teams will qualify for the AFCON finals.
Key players, including Salah and Osimhen, will be closely watched during the qualifiers.

AFCON 2027 Qualifying: Teams, Key Players, Timeline, Structure, and Matches