CAF Sets 19 May for AFCON 2027 Qualifiers Draw as East Africa Prepares for Historic Tournament

By Emmanuel Austin Baah On May 5, 2026

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially confirmed that the draw for the qualifiers of the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 will take place on Tuesday, 19 May 2026, setting the stage for what promises to be a fiercely contested route to Africa’s flagship football tournament.

According to CAF, the qualification campaign for the 2027 TotalEnergies AFCON will run from September 2026 to March 2027, featuring 48 national teams. These teams will be divided into 12 groups of four, with only the top two sides from each group securing a place at the finals.

The tournament itself will be historic, as it is set to be co-hosted by three East African nations — Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda — marking a significant milestone for the region’s football development and infrastructure.

Key Dates for AFCON 2027

Qualifiers Draw: 19 May 2026

Matchdays 1 & 2: 1 September – 6 October 2026

Matchdays 3 & 4: 9 – 17 November 2026

Matchdays 5 & 6: 22 – 30 March 2027

Final Tournament: 19 June – 17 July 2027

With the expanded qualification format and a multi-nation hosting arrangement, anticipation is already building across the continent as teams prepare to battle for a coveted place at Africa’s biggest football showpiece.

Author

Emmanuel Austin Baah

My name is Emmanuel Austin Baah, professionally known as “Okocha”. I am a seasoned Ghanaian journalist, broadcaster and football commentator from Senya Bereku in the Central Region. My work reflects a strong commitment to factual reporting, ethical journalism and the continuous promotion of Ghanaian sports.

I am currently pursuing my studies at Cape Coast Technical University, building on a solid foundation of media practice and communication. I previously served as a sports producer at Radio Gold (90.5) and Montie FM (100.1) in Accra, where I was actively involved in editorial planning, programme production, live commentary and in-depth sports analysis.

Presently, I am a Senior Writer at SportsNetGhana.com, a role in which I produce well-researched features, match reports, athlete profiles and analytical pieces. My work consistently highlights emerging talents, captures key sporting developments and contributes to shaping informed sports discourse in Ghana.

Over the course of my career, I have covered numerous major sporting events both locally and internationally. Among these, the highlight remains my coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, a significant milestone that strengthened my expertise in global football reporting and enhanced my understanding of international sports dynamics.

I am widely recognised for my clarity of analysis, engaging commentary style and strong command of both local and global football trends. Beyond the newsroom, I participate in community initiatives aimed at developing young sports journalists and promoting youth engagement in sports.

For professional engagements, media collaborations or enquiries, please contact me on 0265284330.

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About The Author

Emmanuel Austin Baah

My name is Emmanuel Austin Baah, professionally known as “Okocha”. I am a seasoned Ghanaian journalist, broadcaster and football commentator from Senya Bereku in the Central Region. My work reflects a strong commitment to factual reporting, ethical journalism and the continuous promotion of Ghanaian sports.

I am currently pursuing my studies at Cape Coast Technical University, building on a solid foundation of media practice and communication. I previously served as a sports producer at Radio Gold (90.5) and Montie FM (100.1) in Accra, where I was actively involved in editorial planning, programme production, live commentary and in-depth sports analysis.

Presently, I am a Senior Writer at SportsNetGhana.com, a role in which I produce well-researched features, match reports, athlete profiles and analytical pieces. My work consistently highlights emerging talents, captures key sporting developments and contributes to shaping informed sports discourse in Ghana.

Over the course of my career, I have covered numerous major sporting events both locally and internationally. Among these, the highlight remains my coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, a significant milestone that strengthened my expertise in global football reporting and enhanced my understanding of international sports dynamics.

I am widely recognised for my clarity of analysis, engaging commentary style and strong command of both local and global football trends. Beyond the newsroom, I participate in community initiatives aimed at developing young sports journalists and promoting youth engagement in sports.

For professional engagements, media collaborations or enquiries, please contact me on 0265284330.

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