AFCON 2027 qualifiers: Teams, top players, schedule, format, matches

The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will be held in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, with 24 qualification spots up for grabs. The qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations begin on Thursday, with 48 countries competing to earn spots in Africa’s biggest football tournament. Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda will cohost AFCON 2027, as the competition returns to East Africa for the first time in 51 years. Divided into 12 groups, the teams will be involved in a six-round qualifying process that runs to March next year. The draw for the AFCON 2027 qualifiers took place in Cairo, Egypt, in May. The six rounds of AFCON 2027 qualifying will be held across these FIFA international windows: The general rule is that the top two teams in each group will advance to the finals.

However, in groups containing Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania – who have automatically qualified as cohosts – only the highest-ranked team outside the respective host country will go through. The qualifiers will be played in a home and away format, with each team playing six matches. The 36th edition of AFCON will be held in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, bringing the tournament back to East Africa after five decades. The tournament will run from June 19 to July 17, 2027, at 10 venues across the countries. The stadiums