Mali begin AFCON 2027 qualifying against Cape Verde, World Cup surprise package

The Mali Eagles begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Cape Verde on Friday, 25 September 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00 GMT.

The match comes in a group regarded as one of the least difficult on paper in the CAF qualifiers, although Mali face opponents whose recent performances have raised expectations.

Mali reached the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year before losing 1-0 to Senegal. Their subsequent international results have been mixed, with a goalless draw against Russia in March followed by a 2-0 defeat by Iran in June.

Cape Verde, meanwhile, emerged as one of the biggest surprises at the FIFA World Cup 2026. They held Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia to draws in the group stage before taking Argentina, who went on to become finalists, to extra time in the round of 32.

That run has given Cape Verde valuable experience against some of the strongest teams in international football, and they will hope to use it to make further progress during the current international cycle.

Mali remain a strong and respected side, however, making Friday’s meeting less predictable despite the apparent difference in recent World Cup exposure. A match in which both teams score could therefore be a reasonable expectation.