The qualifying campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations is set to begin, with the first matchday featuring two high-profile encounters: Ivory Coast against Ghana and Algeria against Zambia. The draw for the qualifiers was conducted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), placing these teams in the same groups and setting up immediate clashes.
Ivory Coast, the reigning African champions after winning the 2023 tournament on home soil, will face a Ghana side seeking to return to the continental showpiece. The match is expected to be a key early test for both teams. In the other headline fixture, Algeria, the 2019 champions, will take on Zambia, a team with a rich AFCON history.
Senegal and Morocco, two of Africa's top-ranked teams, are also expected to be in action on the opening matchday. Senegal, the 2021 champions, and Morocco, a semi-finalist at the 2022 World Cup, will begin their campaigns with the aim of securing early points. The full schedule and venues for the first round of matches are yet to be confirmed by CAF.
The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, marking the first time the tournament is held in East Africa since 1976. The qualifiers will determine the teams that join the hosts at the finals. Further details, including exact dates and kick-off times, are expected to be announced by CAF in due course.
