The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially conducted the draw for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN 2027) qualifiers, revealing the group-stage paths for all 48 national teams. Reigning champions Morocco have been handed a highly favorable Group A alongside Gabon, Niger, and Lesotho. On paper, the Atlas Lions stand out as the dominant force in the group, combining depth, experience, and recent continental success.
Morocco will be expected to comfortably navigate a group where both Gabon and Lesotho have previously struggled against them, while Niger could represent a potential wildcard due to its steady football development.
Morocco’s path toward CAN 2027
With their status as defending champions, Morocco enter the qualifiers with high expectations. The draw reinforces their position as one of the strongest teams on the continent, with a clear opportunity to build momentum ahead of the 2027 finals hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Major African contenders also drawn
Elsewhere in the draw, Senegal, Algeria, and Nigeria were also placed in relatively manageable groups, avoiding the toughest possible combinations from Pot 2. Senegal will face Mozambique, Sudan, and Ethiopia in Group J, while Algeria meets Zambia, Togo, and Burundi in Group I. Nigeria will compete against Madagascar, Tanzania, and Guinea-Bissau in Group L.
High-profile clash in Group C
One of the standout fixtures of the qualifiers will be the Group C showdown between Ivory Coast and Ghana, two of Africa’s traditional football powerhouses. Both teams are expected to battle for top position in what is widely considered the most competitive group.
Qualification format
The qualifiers will begin in September 2026. Teams will play six matches in a round-robin format. The top two teams from each group will qualify for CAN 2027, except in groups containing host nations, where only one qualification spot will be available.
