The complete can 2027 qualifiers schedule revealed

The journey towards the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 is gradually taking shape, even as some finer details of the tournament remain to be finalized. Before the definitive group compositions are even known, African national teams now have a clear framework to prepare for their qualification campaigns. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has established the key windows for the elimination rounds, outlining a schedule that spans several months and culminates in a final phase hosted in East Africa. This provides crucial early information for participating teams, passionate supporters, and broadcasters alike, as this particular edition promises to be unique.

can 2027: key qualification dates confirmed

The qualification process for CAN 2027 initially kicked off with a preliminary round held in March 2026. This initial stage was exclusively for nations ranked lower on the FIFA global standings. According to CAF, twelve national teams participated in this opening phase, engaging in home-and-away fixtures to determine the final entrants for the group stage. Higher-ranked teams, conversely, were granted direct entry into the subsequent qualification rounds. In total, 48 nations are set to compete in the group stage, which will see them divided into twelve groups, each comprising four teams.

The primary schedule for the main qualification rounds has now been unveiled. The initial two matchdays are slated to take place between September 21 and October 6, 2026. Following this, a second window is scheduled from November 9 to November 17, 2026, for the third and fourth matchdays. The final two matchdays, which will be critical in determining qualification for the main tournament, are set for March 22 to March 30, 2027. This structured timeline allows national teams to ascertain their qualification status well in advance of the final tournament’s kick-off.

can 2027 qualification calendar at a glance

The CAN 2027 tournament will feature a unique setup, with three host nations already guaranteed spots in the final phase. Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda are automatically qualified as co-hosts. The competition itself is scheduled to run from June 19 to July 18, 2027, marking the first time these three East African nations will jointly organize the event. This collaborative hosting signifies a significant return of the Africa Cup of Nations to the CECAFA region, decades after the last edition was held in this part of the continent.

One outstanding matter, however, continues to draw attention: the official identity of the reigning champion. CAF controversially stripped Senegal of the 2025 title, reassigning it to Morocco following a decision by its appeals committee, citing incidents that occurred during the final match. However, the Senegalese Football Federation has escalated the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS) to challenge this ruling and seek the annulment of the sanction. While awaiting the definitive outcome of this appeal, the CAN 2027 preparations are moving forward with a defined calendar, yet also with a rare symbolic uncertainty surrounding the current African champion.