Africa Cup of Nations 2027: Eight teams could secure qualification in November

Eight teams could become the first nations to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations during November’s qualifying matches, with the third and fourth rounds set to provide an early breakthrough in the race for the finals.

Morocco, Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, South Africa, RD Congo, Mali, Rwanda and Guinea-Bissau have each won their opening two matches and sit on six points.

Several of those sides will face decisive fixtures during the upcoming international window, with four more points potentially enough for the leaders in the relevant groups to confirm their places at the tournament.

Morocco, who lead Group A, will play Niger twice. The two matches could give Morocco the opportunity to move beyond reach at the top of the section.

There will also be a double-header between Cote d’Ivoire and Gambia, who share the lead in Group C with six points apiece. Their two meetings will determine whether one team can establish clear control of the group.

Mali and Rwanda are in a similar position in Group K after both recorded two victories. They will meet twice during the November schedule, with the results likely to have a significant bearing on qualification.

RD Congo will face Sierra Leone in its two fixtures, while Guinea-Bissau will play Madagascar.

South Africa are the only outright leaders in Group D and will look to maintain their perfect start against Kenya. Kenya are one of the host nations and have already qualified automatically for the finals.

The November matches could therefore represent the first major turning point in qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.