AFCON 2027: Draw for preliminary Round Qualifiers released

The draw has been concluded for the Preliminary Round Qualifiers of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania 2027, throwing up several regional rivalries.

Twelve teams have entered at this stage as the lowest-placed sides on the continent in the FIFA World Rankings, with the six winners of the Preliminary Round ties advancing to join the other 42 CAF Member Associations in the group stage of the qualifiers.

Seychelles and Lesotho will face off in an all-Southern African tie that will see the Indian Ocean island nation host the first leg, while Djibouti and South Sudan meet in a fixture between two East African nations, with Djibouti at home first.

Chad will host Burundi in the first leg of their tie, while Somalia welcome Mauritius for the opening leg of their fixture. Eritrea will be at home first when they host Eswatini, and São Tomé and Príncipe welcome Ethiopia for the first leg of their clash.

The ties will be played during the next FIFA International Window, between 25–31 March 2026. The  AFCON Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania 2027 will make history as the first time three nations have co-hosted African’s biggest show.

TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania Preliminary Round DrawM1 & M2: Djibouti vs South SudanM3 & M4: Chad vs BurundiM5 & M6: Somalia vs MauritiusM7 & M8: Seychelles vs LesothoM9 & M10: Eritrea vs EswatiniM11 & M12: Sao Tome e Principe vs Ethiopia