Can 2027 qualification calendar revealed with key dates

The journey to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) is taking shape, even as some details remain in flux. While the final group compositions are still pending, African national teams now have a clear roadmap for their qualification campaigns. The CAF has unveiled the primary windows for the qualifiers, spanning several months, with the final tournament set to unfold in East Africa. This heads-up is already sparking anticipation among teams, fans, and broadcasters for an edition destined to make history.

Key dates for the CAN 2027 qualifiers

The qualification process for CAN 2027 kicked off with a preliminary round in March 2026, reserved for the lowest-ranked nations in the FIFA rankings. According to CAF regulations, twelve teams competed in home-and-away ties to secure the final spots for the group stage. Higher-ranked sides, meanwhile, entered directly into the main qualifying rounds. In total, 48 nations are set to battle it out across twelve groups of four.

The main qualification schedule is now locked in. The first two matchdays are scheduled between September 21 and October 6, 2026, followed by the third and fourth rounds from November 9 to November 17, 2026. The decisive fifth and sixth matchdays, which will determine the qualifiers, are set for March 22 to March 30, 2027. This timeline gives teams ample time to assess their progress well before the tournament begins.

Full qualification timeline for CAN 2027

CAN 2027 will feature a unique setup, as three countries have already secured their place in the final tournament. Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda will co-host the event, which runs from June 19 to July 18, 2027. This marks the first time the competition is jointly organized by three nations in the CECAFA region, signaling a major return for the CAN to East Africa—a zone that hasn’t hosted the tournament in decades.

A final question lingers over the titleholder’s status. CAF stripped Senegal of the 2025 title and awarded it to Morocco following an appeal board decision tied to incidents during the final. However, the Senegalese Football Federation has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), seeking to overturn the ruling. Until a final verdict is reached, CAN 2027 proceeds with a confirmed schedule but an unresolved question over the current African champions.