The journey to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations journey took shape on Tuesday night in Cairo as Uganda Cranes discovered the opponents they will face in the qualifiers for the continental showpiece.
Uganda were drawn in Group H alongside Tunisia, Libya and Botswana during a colourful draw ceremony held in Egypt’s capital.
Although the Uganda national football team have already secured a place at the finals as co-hosts, the qualifiers will still offer valuable preparation ahead of the tournament that Uganda will stage together with Kenya and Tanzania.
CAF rules mean that only one additional team will qualify from any group containing a host nation.
That leaves Tunisia, Libya and Botswana fighting for the lone qualification spot from Group H while Uganda focus on building a competitive side for the finals.
Kenya were handed a difficult Group D featuring South Africa, Guinea and Eritrea, while Tanzania landed in Group L alongside Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
Elsewhere, hosts Morocco were placed in Group A with Gabon, Niger and Lesotho, while Egyptheadline Group B containing Angola, Malawi and South Sudan.
One of the standout groups is Group C where Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana will renew their rivalry alongside The Gambia and Somalia.
Defending champions Senegal were drawn against Mozambique, Sudan and Ethiopia in Group J.
The qualifiers will begin during the FIFA window from September 21 to October 6, 2026. Matchdays three and four will follow in November before the final round of matches is played in March 2027.
The tournament itself will run from June 19 to July 17, 2027, marking the first time East Africa hosts the Africa Cup of Nations jointly.
2027 AFCON Qualifiers Groups
Group A
- Morocco
- Gabon
- Niger
- Lesotho
Group B
- Egypt
- Angola
- Malawi
- South Sudan
Group C
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Ghana
- The Gambia
- Somalia
Group D
- South Africa
- Guinea
- Kenya
- Eritrea
Group E
- Congo DR
- Equatorial Guinea
- Sierra Leone
- Zimbabwe
Group F
- Burkina Faso
- Benin
- Mauritania
- Central African Republic
Group G
- Cameroon
- Comoros
- Namibia
- Congo
Group H
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Libya
- Botswana
Group I
- Algeria
- Zambia
- Togo
- Burundi
Group J
- Senegal
- Mozambique
- Sudan
- Ethiopia
Group K
- Mali
- Cape Verde
- Rwanda
- Liberia
Group L
- Nigeria
- Madagascar
- Tanzania
- Guinea-Bissau
