The draw for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers was held on May 19, 2026, in Cairo, Egypt, marking the official start of the road to the tournament. The event, organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), set the stage for 48 national teams competing for 23 spots in the final tournament, which will be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
According to CAF's official announcement, the draw divided teams into 12 groups of four, with matches scheduled to begin in September 2026. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the 2027 AFCON, joining the three co-hosts. The draw was conducted by CAF officials and featured representatives from participating nations.
Notable pairings include former champions like Egypt, Cameroon, and Nigeria placed in separate groups to avoid early clashes. The qualifiers will run until September 2027, with the final tournament set for June-July 2028 in East Africa, marking the first time the region hosts the competition.
