AFCON 2027 will be played in East Africa for the first time in 51 years. Three new host nations, seven renovated and brand new stadiums, 24 teams — and one question every football fan across the continent is asking right now. Who wins it? Here is the full tournament preview, team by team, with our predictions for TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027.
The Context — What Makes AFCON 2027 Different
Host nation advantage at AFCON is real and significant. The 2023 tournament was the first to be won by the hosts since Egypt triumphed on their own turf in 2006. Côte d’Ivoire won at home in 2023. Morocco won at home in 2025. The pattern is clear — home advantage in AFCON matters more than in almost any other major tournament on earth.
Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda all qualify automatically as co-hosts. None of the three are realistic title contenders — but Tanzania at a sold-out Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, powered by 60,000 home fans, will be a formidable opponent for any team in Group L. Do not expect Nigeria or Algeria to walk past the Taifa Stars easily on home soil.
The other defining factor for AFCON 2027 is the aftermath of the 2026 FIFA World Cup — which concludes in July 2026, eleven months before AFCON 2027 begins. Players will arrive having either ridden the high of a World Cup or bearing the frustration of missing it. Squad dynamics, manager changes and player form will all be shaped by what happens between now and June 2027.
The Contenders — Tier by Tier
Tier 1 — The Favourites
🇲🇦 Morocco — The Team to Beat
Morocco are the defending champions having won AFCON 2025 on home soil in Morocco. This squad is packed with excellence, but crucially looks balanced and with players who can control matches, in a way that few of their rivals can match.
The Atlas Lions are a different proposition from any previous Moroccan generation. Achraf Hakimi at right back is one of the best players in the world in his position. Brahim Diaz provides creativity and directness. The squad combines European football intelligence — most players are based in Spain, France, England and Italy — with the physical intensity AFCON demands.
The question for Morocco at AFCON 2027 is whether they can repeat on neutral ground what they achieved at home. History suggests defending champions underperform. But history also suggests Morocco at this level of organisation and squad quality are not easily stopped.
Title probability: High. Tier 1 favourites.
🇳🇬 Nigeria — The Wounded Super Eagles
Nigeria finished third at AFCON 2025, beating Egypt in the bronze medal match after losing to Morocco in the semi-finals. A wounded animal after their failure to reach the World Cup, how Nigeria would love to bounce back by winning their first AFCON title since 2013.
The Super Eagles have the individual quality to win any AFCON. Victor Osimhen is one of Africa’s best strikers — when fit and motivated he is capable of carrying Nigeria through a tournament single-handedly. Ademola Lookman can make up for the disappointment of Nigeria’s inability to qualify for the FIFA World Cup by putting in a big AFCON performance. Add Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze and Calvin Bassey and you have a squad that competes with anyone.
Nigeria’s problem is consistency. They have finished third at five of the last ten AFCONs. They have the talent to win but repeatedly fail to convert it into a tournament run. AFCON 2027 in Tanzania — where they face Tanzania in Group L qualifying and then potentially in the tournament — could be the edition where that changes.
Title probability: High. Joint favourite with Morocco.
Tier 2 — The Serious Challengers
🇸🇳 Senegal — The Reigning African Champions
Senegal won AFCON 2022 — their first ever title — and have been among the most consistent sides in African football since. Immense firepower, some experienced heads, plenty of young talent coming through, and recent experience of going the distance, Senegal look likely to be the best sub-Saharan African contender.
By 2027 Sadio Mane will be 35 — past his peak but still capable of decisive contributions. The real key for Senegal is the generation coming through behind him. Lamine Camara, Pape Matar Sarr and the emerging talent in the Teranga Lions squad give Senegal genuine depth that most African nations cannot match.
Title probability: Medium-High. Top three contender.
🇩🇿 Algeria — The Sleeping Giant
Algeria won AFCON 2019 and have been underperforming their talent ever since — suffering back-to-back group stage exits in 2021 and 2023. Both of Algeria’s tournament triumphs have come in North Africa — on home soil in 1990 and in Cairo in 2019. How they would love to lift the trophy in East Africa.
The emergence of Mohamed Amoura — top scorer during World Cup qualifying — gives Algeria a genuinely lethal striking option, while wily operators like Riyad Mahrez, Houssem Aouar and Ismaël Bennacer should allow Algeria to impose themselves on their opponents.
By 2027 Riyad Mahrez will be 36. Algeria’s title window may be closing. If they are going to win a third AFCON it is now or never — and they know it. That desperation can be a powerful motivator. A fully motivated Algeria, with Amoura in the form he showed in qualifying, is a genuine title threat.
Title probability: Medium. Can win it — but must fix their tournament mentality first.
🇪🇬 Egypt — The Record Holders Chasing History
Egypt are the most successful nation in AFCON history with seven titles. They have not won since 2010 — a 17-year drought that haunts their football establishment. Mohamed Salah will be 35 by AFCON 2027. This may be his last realistic opportunity to add an AFCON title to his extraordinary club career.
Egypt’s problem is not talent — it is converting it in tournament football. They have the players to reach any final. They have repeatedly found ways to fall short in the decisive moments. AFCON 2027 is another opportunity for Salah to finally lift the one major trophy missing from his collection.
Title probability: Medium. Salah’s last chance — and he knows it.
Tier 3 — The Dark Horses
🇨🇮 Côte d’Ivoire — Defending Their 2023 Crown
Côte d’Ivoire won AFCON 2023 in extraordinary fashion — sacked their coach mid-tournament, sneaked through as one of the best third-placed teams, then won every knockout match. Sebastien Haller scored the winner in the final weeks after returning from cancer treatment. Football does not get more dramatic.
By 2027 the squad will have changed significantly. Franck Kessie and Serge Aurier are ageing out. But Ivory Coast has a consistent production line of talent. Do not write them off.
Title probability: Medium-Low. Can cause upsets — as they always do.
🇨🇲 Cameroon — The Indomitable Lions Rebuilding
Cameroon have five AFCON titles — the third most in history. They have been in decline for several years but Bryan Mbeumo’s emergence as one of the Premier League’s most dangerous forwards gives them a genuine weapon. If the squad rebuilds properly around Mbeumo’s generation, Cameroon could be dangerous by 2027.
Title probability: Low-Medium. Too much talent to ignore entirely.
🇲🇱 Mali — The Overachievers
Mali’s strong, energetic, dynamic midfield options, as well as some mobile penetrative attackers mean they will have the capacity to hold their own against anyone while also boasting a strategy to hurt teams. Mali have reached multiple quarter-finals without ever threatening a title. By 2027 their talented generation will be in its prime. This could be Mali’s edition.
Title probability: Low-Medium. Consistent dark horse.
The Host Nation Factor — Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda
None of the three co-hosts are realistic title contenders. But all three will be dangerous at home. Tanzania in particular — with 60,000 passionate home fans at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium — will be a genuinely hostile environment for any visiting team in Group L. Nigeria and Algeria have been warned.
The real question is whether Tanzania can win their group and progress to the knockout rounds. A Tanzania Round of 16 appearance on home soil would be the greatest result in Tanzanian football history. It is not impossible. Kenya reached the AFCON quarter-finals as hosts in 1996. Home advantage is real.
The AFCON 2027 Groups — Where Titles Are Won and Lost
| Group | Key clash | Who progresses |
|---|---|---|
| Group A — Morocco, Gabon, Niger, Lesotho | Morocco dominant | Morocco certain. Gabon second. |
| Group B — Egypt, Angola, Malawi, South Sudan | Egypt vs Angola | Egypt and Angola. |
| Group C — Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Gambia, Somalia | Ivory Coast vs Ghana | Ivory Coast. Ghana second — if they qualify. |
| Group D — South Africa, Guinea, Kenya, Eritrea | South Africa vs Kenya | South Africa. Kenya home advantage. |
| Group I — Algeria, Zambia, Togo, Burundi | Algeria dominant | Algeria certain. Zambia second. |
| Group J — Senegal, Mozambique, Sudan, Ethiopia | Senegal dominant | Senegal certain. Mozambique second. |
| Group L — Nigeria, Tanzania, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar | Nigeria vs Tanzania | Tanzania automatic. Nigeria — but not easily. |
Our Prediction — Who Wins AFCON 2027
This is our prediction as of June 2026 — 12 months before the tournament begins. A lot will change between now and June 2027.
Winner: Morocco 🇲🇦
Morocco are the defending champions with the most balanced squad in African football, a settled coach and a generation of players at their absolute peak in 2027. Morocco, Senegal, Nigeria, Algeria and Egypt are the tournament favourites. Of those five, Morocco has the most complete squad profile — defensive organisation, creative midfield, pace in attack and tournament experience.
They will not have home advantage this time. But they do not need it. This Morocco squad is capable of winning AFCON anywhere.
Runner-up: Nigeria 🇳🇬
Nigeria will be motivated. Osimhen and Lookman in form are the most dangerous forward combination in Africa. Nigeria will reach the final — and come close to ending their 14-year AFCON drought.
Third place: Senegal 🇸🇳
Senegal’s depth and consistency will carry them to the semi-finals. But Morocco or Nigeria will be a step too far.
Dark horse: Algeria 🇩🇿
Algeria in Group L means they face a potential quarter-final against Nigeria or Tanzania. A fully motivated Algeria with Amoura in form is capable of reaching the final — and at 36, Mahrez will play every minute as if it is his last AFCON. Because it probably is.
Tanzania’s prediction: Group stage exit — but with honour
Tanzania will not win AFCON 2027. But a win over Guinea-Bissau or Madagascar, a competitive performance against Nigeria, and the extraordinary atmosphere of home fans at Mkapa — that alone would make this the greatest AFCON in Tanzania’s history. And if Taifa Stars somehow beat Nigeria on 24 June 2027 in front of 60,000 fans in Dar es Salaam — we will happily admit this prediction was wrong.
The Wildcard — What Could Change Everything
AFCON predictions made 12 months out are notoriously unreliable. The 2023 tournament was won by Côte d’Ivoire — a team that nearly went home in the group stage. The 2019 tournament was won by Algeria. The 2017 tournament was won by Cameroon after a dramatic penalty shootout. AFCON rewards resilience and tournament mentality as much as squad quality.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from June to July 2026 — ending just 11 months before AFCON 2027 begins. Whatever happens there will reshape everything. A World Cup winner from Africa — Morocco or Senegal are the most realistic possibilities — arrives at AFCON 2027 in a completely different psychological position from the rest of the field.
For the complete guide to attending AFCON 2027 see our practical info page. For tickets see our tickets guide. For the full fixture list see our fixtures page. For Tanzania’s Group L see our Group L guide.
Predictions made June 2026 — 12 months before AFCON 2027 begins. Squad information and form data based on AFCON 2025 and 2026 World Cup qualifying. All predictions are opinion only. This page will be updated as the tournament approaches.