Nigeria, three-time Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) champions, are set to discover their group-stage opponents for the 2027 tournament qualifiers when the Confederation of African Football (CAF) conducts the official draw on Tuesday.
Read more: Super Eagles to learn 2027 AFCON qualifying opponents on TuesdayThe draw, which will take place at the Egyptian Football Association headquarters in Cairo, precedes the finals scheduled from June 19 to July 17, 2027. Notably, the 2027 AFCON—dubbed AFCON PAMOJA—marks the first time the competition will be co-hosted by three nations: Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Nigeria has previously lifted the trophy in 1980, 1994, and 2013. The Super Eagles also finished as runners-up in 2023 and claimed third place in 2025.
A total of 48 teams, including the three co-hosts, will compete in the qualification phase. CAF has announced that these teams will be split into 12 groups of four, with the top two from each group advancing to the finals. However, since Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda automatically qualify as hosts, only one additional team will progress from each of their respective groups.
The qualifiers will unfold over three FIFA international windows between September 2026 and March 2027. Matchdays one and two are set for September 21 to October 6, 2026, followed by rounds three and four from November 9 to 17, 2026. The final matches will take place between March 22 and 30, 2027.
For Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, hosting AFCON 2027 offers more than football glory. The tournament is seen as a unique opportunity to drive infrastructure development, boost tourism, attract international investment, and highlight East Africa’s vibrant culture and passion for football on a continental stage.
