The journey to the CAN 2027 is taking shape, even as final details of the tournament remain under wraps. While the definitive group compositions are yet to be announced, African national teams now have a clear roadmap for their qualifying campaigns. The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has unveiled the main windows for the qualifiers, spanning several months, with the final phase set to unfold in East Africa—a first for the competition in this region.
CAN 2027 qualifiers: crucial dates to mark in your calendar
The qualifying journey for CAN 2027 kicked off in March 2026 with a preliminary round exclusively for the lowest-ranked teams in the FIFA rankings. According to the CAF, twelve teams competed in two-legged ties to secure their spots in the group stage. Higher-ranked sides, meanwhile, entered the competition directly. A total of 48 nations will battle it out across twelve groups of four teams each during this phase.
The main qualifying schedule is now confirmed. The first two matchdays are scheduled between September 21 and October 6, 2026, followed by the third and fourth rounds from November 9 to 17, 2026. The decisive fifth and sixth matchdays, which will determine the qualifiers, are set for March 22 to 30, 2027. This timeline gives teams ample time to assess their progress well ahead of the tournament’s opening kickoff.
Full CAN 2027 qualifiers timeline
| Qualifying Phase | Key Dates |
|---|
The CAN 2027 will feature a unique setup, with three nations already guaranteed a place in the final tournament. Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda are set to co-host the event, which runs from June 19 to July 18, 2027. This marks the first time the competition is organized across these three East African nations, revitalizing the CECAFA region as a host after decades since the last edition held in this part of the continent.
However, one question lingers: the identity of the defending champions. The CAF revoked the Senegal title from CAN 2025 and awarded it to Morocco following an appeal board decision related to incidents during the final. The Senegalese Football Federation has since appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS) to contest the ruling and seek reinstatement of the title. Until a final verdict is reached, CAN 2027 proceeds with a confirmed schedule—and an ongoing debate over the current African champions.
