The draw for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) qualifying matches took place on Monday, May 18, 2026, in Cairo, Egypt. A total of 48 national teams will compete in the qualifiers, including the three co-hosts: Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
The teams were divided into 12 groups of four, with the top two from each group advancing to the final tournament. The co-hosts are automatically qualified but will still participate in the qualifiers for competitive purposes, though their results will not affect their qualification status.
Notable groups include Group A featuring Senegal, Burkina Faso, and South Sudan, while Group D includes Nigeria, Benin, and Libya. The qualifiers are scheduled to begin in September 2026 and conclude in November 2026.
The 2027 CAN will be the first edition hosted by three countries simultaneously, with matches planned across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The tournament is expected to feature 24 teams in the final phase.
