The qualification route to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will undergo a significant transformation, marking one of the biggest format changes in recent AFCON history.
Traditionally, AFCON qualifiers consisted of a preliminary knockout round used to trim lower-ranked teams, followed by standard qualification groups where the winners and runners-up booked their places in the tournament.
However, the 2027 edition, to be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, will introduce a revamped system designed to increase competitiveness and expand opportunities for lower-ranked nations.
Three Hosts Qualify Automatically
As co-hosts, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda will all qualify automatically for the tournament, leaving 21 spots to be contested through the new qualifying process.
How the New Qualification Format Works
CAF has confirmed that the qualification phase will now feature:
• 13 groups of four teams each
Each group winner will qualify directly for the tournament.
• Three best runners-up across all groups
In addition to the 13 group winners, only the three strongest runners-up based on points, goal difference, and other tiebreakers will qualify automatically.
• A new playoff mini-tournament for remaining teams
The remaining 10 runners-up who do not secure the automatic spots will enter a special two-legged playoff round.
The five winners of these playoff ties will claim the final remaining AFCON tickets, completing the 24-team tournament lineup.
This is the first time CAF has introduced a post-group-stage playoff round in AFCON qualifying, a move expected to intensify competition among mid-tier teams.
Key Dates for AFCON 2027 Qualification
CAF has also confirmed the official calendar:
• Official Draw: December 19, 2025, in Rabat, Morocco
• Qualifier Match Windows:
– March 2026
– September 2026
– October 2026
• Playoff Round: November 2026
Tournament Dates Confirmed
The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will be held from June 19 to July 18, 2027, across several host cities in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
With a new qualification structure, three co-hosts, and a more competitive format than ever before, AFCON 2027 is shaping up to be one of the most unique editions in the tournament’s history.
