DR Congo, Ivory Coast and Morocco, all present at the 2026 World Cup, can book their ticket for AFCON 2027 as early as the November window, according to Reuters/The Star. Ghana and Nigeria are under pressure.
The November international window, from 12 to 17 November 2026, gives three nations the chance to seal their ticket for AFCON 2027. According to Reuters/The Star, DR Congo, Ivory Coast and Morocco, all present at the 2026 World Cup, can do so as early as these third and fourth matchdays of qualifying.
The competition, scheduled from 19 June to 17 July 2027, will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The format provides for two qualified teams in most of the twelve groups, plus two further rounds in March 2027 for those who have not yet confirmed their place.
A schedule that favours the favourites
DR Congo face Sierra Leone, Morocco face Niger and Ivory Coast face Gambia. According to Reuters/The Star, these three fixtures give the favourites the chance to seal their qualification before the final rounds.
Teams that fail to confirm their ticket this week will have to play the rounds scheduled for March 2027.
Ghana and Nigeria under pressure
Ghana, absent from the last AFCON in Morocco, are under threat after a defeat against Ivory Coast and a home reverse against Gambia, in which they conceded four goals. According to Reuters/The Star, Kim Lars Bjorkegren, 44, coach of the Ghana women’s team, is in interim charge of the national team, replacing Carlos Queiroz. Ghana face Somalia in Sekondi on Thursday and Monday, a Somalia side that has given up home advantage for lack of a stadium meeting international standards.
Nigeria, beaten 3-0 in Guinea-Bissau, must win both of their meetings with Tanzania, on Friday in Uyo and on Tuesday in Dar es Salaam, to keep hopes of direct qualification alive.
Absences that weigh heavy
African national teams must contend with last-minute withdrawals. Senegal will be without Mamadou Sarr and Krépin Diatta against Sudan. Cameroon will have to do without Carlos Baleba, who injured his hamstring in the Champions League match against AS Roma, for their meeting with Namibia. Guinea will not be able to count on Serhou Guirassy, Saïdou Sow, Soumaïla Sylla and Lamine Diaby-Fadiga ahead of their clash with Eritrea, as noted by Africa Top Sports.
Togo lose Kévin Boma, replaced by Lilian Brassier in Patrice Neveu’s squad. Uganda will be without Rogers Mato against Botswana.