The 2027 African Cup of Nations qualification will see a new format.
In the old AFCON qualification format, there used to be a preliminary round, followed by a normal qualification group where the winners and runners-up would progress to the tournament proper.
For the 2027 edition, the three host nations, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, will qualify automatically.
The qualifiers for the 2027 AFCON will be different. Teams will be drawn into 13 groups, with each group consisting of four teams.
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13 group winners will secure direct qualification, alongside the three best runners-up across all groups, who will also qualify automatically, while the remaining ten teams will enter a special playoff mini-tournament.
These teams will play two legged knockout matches, and the five winners will secure the final spots, completing the 24-team lineup for the tournament.
According to CAF, the official draw is scheduled for December 19, 2025, in Rabat, Morocco.
The matches are scheduled for March, September, and October 2026, while the playoffs will take place in November 2026.
Finally, the tournament itself is scheduled to take place from June 19 to July 18, 2027, and it will be hosted across multiple cities in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
