CAF releases official schedule for AFCON 2027 qualifiers

The preliminary round, involving 12 lower-ranked nations, was played in March 2026 to determine the final teams for the group stage. The main qualification phase will involve 48 nations divided into twelve groups of four teams. The first two matchdays are scheduled for September 21 to October 6, 2026, followed by matchdays three and four from November 9 to 17, 2026.

The decisive final two matchdays will be held from March 22 to 30, 2027. Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda are automatically qualified as co-hosts for the final tournament, which will run from June 19 to July 18, 2027. This marks the first time these three East African nations will co-host the competition.