AFCON 2027 will feature 24 nations competing across Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda from 19 June to 17 July 2027. Three teams — Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda — qualify automatically as co-hosts. The remaining 21 spots are decided through the qualifying campaign running from September 2026 to March 2027. This is the complete guide to every group, every nation and the key players to watch at PAMOJA 2027.
How the 24 Teams Are Decided
A total of 48 national teams were divided into 12 groups of four. The top two teams from each group qualify for the 24-team tournament, except in Groups D, H and L which include the three co-host nations. In those groups, only the highest-placed team apart from the hosts will secure qualification, as Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda automatically qualify for the finals.
The qualifying campaign runs across three FIFA international windows:
| Round | Dates |
|---|---|
| Matchdays 1 & 2 | 21 September – 6 October 2026 |
| Matchdays 3 & 4 | 9–17 November 2026 |
| Matchdays 5 & 6 | 22–30 March 2027 |
The full list of 24 qualified teams will be confirmed by the end of March 2027. The three hosts are the only teams guaranteed their places right now.
The 12 Qualifying Groups — Full Draw
| Group | Teams | Host nation |
|---|---|---|
| A | Morocco 🇲🇦, Gabon 🇬🇦, Niger 🇳🇪, Lesotho 🇱🇸 | — |
| B | Egypt 🇪🇬, Angola 🇦🇴, Malawi 🇲🇼, South Sudan 🇸🇸 | — |
| C | Côte d’Ivoire 🇨🇮, Ghana 🇬🇭, Gambia 🇬🇲, Somalia 🇸🇴 | — |
| D | South Africa 🇿🇦, Guinea 🇬🇳, Kenya 🇰🇪, Eritrea 🇪🇷 | ✅ Kenya |
| E | DR Congo 🇨🇩, Equatorial Guinea 🇬🇶, Sierra Leone 🇸🇱, Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 | — |
| F | Burkina Faso 🇧🇫, Benin 🇧🇯, Mauritania 🇲🇷, Central African Republic 🇨🇫 | — |
| G | Cameroon 🇨🇲, Comoros 🇰🇲, Namibia 🇳🇦, Congo 🇨🇬 | — |
| H | Tunisia 🇹🇳, Uganda 🇺🇬, Libya 🇱🇾, Botswana 🇧🇼 | ✅ Uganda |
| I | Algeria 🇩🇿, Zambia 🇿🇲, Togo 🇹🇬, Burundi 🇧🇮 | — |
| J | Senegal 🇸🇳, Mozambique 🇲🇿, Sudan 🇸🇩, Ethiopia 🇪🇹 | — |
| K | Mali 🇲🇱, Cape Verde 🇨🇻, Rwanda 🇷🇼, Liberia 🇱🇷 | — |
| L 🇹🇿 | Nigeria 🇳🇬, Tanzania 🇹🇿, Guinea-Bissau 🇬🇼, Madagascar 🇲🇬 | ✅ Tanzania |
The Three Confirmed Teams — Co-Hosts
🇹🇿 Tanzania — Taifa Stars
Tanzania are the lead host and the nation with the most emotional investment in AFCON 2027. Placed in Group L alongside Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar for the qualifying campaign — though their place at the tournament is already guaranteed. All Tanzania home matches will be played at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam. Coach Miguel Ángel Gamondi had his contract extended in February 2026 and is using the qualifying campaign as preparation for the tournament itself. Key player: Simon Msuva, whose goal qualified Tanzania for AFCON 2025. See our complete Group L guide and Taifa Stars guide.
🇰🇪 Kenya — Harambee Stars
Kenya co-host alongside Tanzania and Uganda, with matches played at the brand new Talanta Stadium (60,000) and Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani (48,000) in Nairobi. Drawn in Group D alongside South Africa, Guinea and Eritrea for qualifying. Kenya coach Benni McCarthy will come up against South Africa, for whom he still holds the international goal-scoring record with 31. Kenya qualify automatically regardless of their qualifying results.
🇺🇬 Uganda — The Cranes
Uganda host matches at Mandela National Stadium in Kampala. Drawn in Group H alongside Tunisia, Libya and Botswana for qualifying. Uganda also qualify automatically as co-hosts regardless of their qualifying campaign results.
Group by Group — Who Is Likely to Qualify
Group A — Morocco’s Group
Defending champions Morocco were drawn in Group A alongside Gabon, Niger and Lesotho. Morocco are overwhelming favourites to top this group. Gabon are the realistic second-place finishers. Morocco arrive at AFCON 2027 as defending champions after winning the 2025 title on home soil.
Expected qualifiers: Morocco, Gabon
Group B — Egypt’s Path
Egypt have two trips to Southern Africa as they face Angola, Malawi and South Sudan. Egypt are heavy favourites to top the group. Angola are competitive and have reached recent AFCONs. South Sudan are the weakest team in this group.
Expected qualifiers: Egypt, Angola
Group C — The West Africa Blockbuster
Defending champions Ivory Coast were placed in Group C alongside Ghana, Gambia and Somalia. This is the most evenly matched group in the entire draw between the two powerhouses. Ivory Coast are the 2023 AFCON champions. Ghana have underperformed at recent tournaments but remain dangerous. Somalia are unlikely to trouble the top two.
Expected qualifiers: Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana — though this is not guaranteed.
Group D — Kenya’s Home Campaign
South Africa, Guinea and Eritrea compete for the one available spot alongside automatic qualifier Kenya. South Africa are the clear favourites. Guinea and Eritrea are the other two teams in Group D.
Expected qualifier (non-host): South Africa
Group E — DR Congo’s Route
DR Congo face Equatorial Guinea, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe. The Leopards are by far the strongest team and should qualify comfortably. Equatorial Guinea have caused upsets before and will compete for second.
Expected qualifiers: DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea
Group F — Burkina Faso Lead
Burkina Faso, Benin, Mauritania and Central African Republic. Burkina Faso are recent AFCON semi-finalists and should top the group. Mauritania are improving rapidly and will push for second. Benin are competitive.
Expected qualifiers: Burkina Faso, Mauritania
Group G — Cameroon’s Challenge
Cameroon face Comoros, Namibia and Congo. The five-time AFCON champions should qualify, but Comoros have caused upsets at recent tournaments — they reached the Round of 16 at AFCON 2021 in their debut appearance.
Expected qualifiers: Cameroon, Comoros or Namibia
Group H — Uganda’s Home Advantage
Tunisia, Libya and Botswana compete for the one available spot alongside automatic qualifier Uganda. Tunisia are strong favourites. Libya are improving. Botswana are unlikely to trouble the top two.
Expected qualifier (non-host): Tunisia
Group I — Algeria’s Return
Algeria face Zambia, Togo and Burundi. After back-to-back group stage exits at AFCON 2021 and 2023, Algeria are under pressure to rediscover their 2019 form. They should top this group comfortably. Zambia are the most likely second-place finishers.
Expected qualifiers: Algeria, Zambia
Group J — Senegal’s Procession
Senegal face Mozambique, Sudan and Ethiopia. The 2022 AFCON champions should qualify without difficulty. Mozambique, Sudan and Ethiopia will compete for second place.
Expected qualifiers: Senegal, Mozambique
Group K — Mali’s Group
Mali face Cape Verde, Rwanda and Liberia. Mali are the strongest team and should top the group. Cape Verde are dangerous — they consistently punch above their weight in CAF competition. Rwanda are improving rapidly.
Expected qualifiers: Mali, Cape Verde
Group L — Tanzania and Nigeria
Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar compete for the one available spot alongside automatic qualifier Tanzania. Nigeria are the clear favourites with their squad of European-based talent. Guinea-Bissau have beaten Nigeria in a qualifier before and cannot be dismissed. Madagascar are the 2019 AFCON quarter-finalists who shocked the continent on their debut.
Expected qualifier (non-host): Nigeria — but watch Guinea-Bissau. See our complete Group L guide.
Key Players to Watch at AFCON 2027
| Player | Nation | Why They Matter |
|---|---|---|
| Victor Osimhen | Nigeria 🇳🇬 | One of Africa’s best strikers — capable of winning the tournament alone |
| Achraf Hakimi | Morocco 🇲🇦 | World-class right back, key to Morocco’s defensive and attacking play |
| Mohamed Salah | Egypt 🇪🇬 | 35 in 2027 — potentially his last AFCON, chasing his first title |
| Ademola Lookman | Nigeria 🇳🇬 | Hat-trick in the 2023 AFCON final — devastating on his day |
| Riyad Mahrez | Algeria 🇩🇿 | 36 in 2027 — likely his final AFCON, desperate to add another title |
| Sadio Mane | Senegal 🇸🇳 | 35 in 2027 — 2022 AFCON winner, tournament experience is unmatched |
| Mohamed Amoura | Algeria 🇩🇿 | Top scorer in Algeria’s World Cup qualifying — the new danger man |
| Sébastien Haller | Côte d’Ivoire 🇨🇮 | Scored the 2023 AFCON final winner weeks after cancer treatment |
| Simon Msuva | Tanzania 🇹🇿 | Most decisive Taifa Stars attacker — the man 60,000 Mkapa fans will watch |
Dark Horses — Teams That Could Surprise
Cape Verde 🇨🇻 — consistently outperform their FIFA ranking at AFCON. Small island nation with a remarkably professional squad of Portuguese-based players.
Comoros 🇰🇲 — shocked everyone by reaching the Round of 16 at their AFCON 2021 debut despite having only 10 men for most of a knockout game. The surprise package potential of AFCON 2027.
Guinea-Bissau 🇬🇼 — disciplined, hard to beat and capable of upsetting Nigeria in Group L qualifying. Have beaten Nigeria in a qualifier before.
Mali 🇲🇱 — consistent semi-finalists who have never quite converted their talent into a title run. By 2027 their golden generation will be at peak age.
Expected 24 Teams at AFCON 2027
Based on qualifying group analysis, these are the most likely 24 participants when qualifying concludes in March 2027:
| Group | Qualifier 1 | Qualifier 2 |
|---|---|---|
| A | Morocco 🇲🇦 | Gabon 🇬🇦 |
| B | Egypt 🇪🇬 | Angola 🇦🇴 |
| C | Côte d’Ivoire 🇨🇮 | Ghana 🇬🇭 |
| D | Kenya 🇰🇪 ✅ | South Africa 🇿🇦 |
| E | DR Congo 🇨🇩 | Equatorial Guinea 🇬🇶 |
| F | Burkina Faso 🇧🇫 | Mauritania 🇲🇷 |
| G | Cameroon 🇨🇲 | Comoros 🇰🇲 |
| H | Uganda 🇺🇬 ✅ | Tunisia 🇹🇳 |
| I | Algeria 🇩🇿 | Zambia 🇿🇲 |
| J | Senegal 🇸🇳 | Mozambique 🇲🇿 |
| K | Mali 🇲🇱 | Cape Verde 🇨🇻 |
| L | Tanzania 🇹🇿 ✅ | Nigeria 🇳🇬 |
✅ = already qualified as co-host. All other qualifications subject to campaign results. Predictions only — qualifying runs September 2026 to March 2027.
For the complete tournament schedule see our fixtures guide. For ticket information see our tickets guide. For Tanzania’s Group L specifically see our Group L guide. For our tournament winner prediction see our predictions article.
Group draw confirmed by CAF on 19 May 2026 in Cairo, Egypt. Qualifying begins 21 September 2026. Full 24-team list confirmed by end of March 2027. This page will be updated as teams qualify.