AFCON 2027 qualifiers draw holds Tuesday as Nigeria prepare to discover opponents for the continental tournament

Three-time African champions Nigeria national football team will discover their opponents for the AFCON 2027 qualifiers on Tuesday when the Confederation of African Football conducts the official draw in Cairo.

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The qualifying draw will take place at the headquarters of the Egyptian Football Association ahead of the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda between June 19 and July 17, 2027.

Tagged AFCON PAMOJA 2027, the competition will mark the first time in history that three countries will co-host the Africa Cup of Nations.

Nigeria heads into the AFCON 2027 qualifiers with an impressive pedigree, having won the continental title in 1980, 1994 and 2013. The Super Eagles also finished runners-up in the 2023 edition and claimed third place in 2025.

CAF confirmed that 48 teams, including the three host nations, will participate in the qualification series.

The governing body said the teams would be divided into 12 groups of four, with the top two sides in each group qualifying automatically for the finals.

However, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda have already secured automatic qualification as co-hosts, meaning only one additional team will progress from each of their respective groups.

The qualification campaign will be played across three FIFA international windows between September 2026 and March 2027.

CAF stated that matchdays one and two are scheduled for September 21 to October 6, 2026, while rounds three and four will take place from November 9 to 17, 2026.

The final round of qualification fixtures is expected to hold between March 22 and 30, 2027.

CAF added that the tournament represents a transformative opportunity for the host nations beyond football, particularly in infrastructure development, tourism growth and international investment.

“Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda view AFCON 2027 as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to accelerate infrastructure development, tourism and international investment while showcasing East Africa’s culture and passion for the game on the continental stage,” CAF said.

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The expanded tournament is expected to attract massive continental attention as Africa’s football powers battle for qualification spots in one of the sport’s most prestigious competitions.