Egypt set for Angola and South Sudan in opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in September

Egypt are expected to begin their qualification campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with home and away fixtures against Angola and South Sudan in late September 2026, according to an Egyptian Football Association source.

A source at the Egyptian FA told FilGoal that the national team are provisionally scheduled to face Angola in Cairo on one of 23, 24 or 25 September in their opening Group B match.

The same source added that Egypt are then due to travel away to meet South Sudan in the second round of fixtures, with that game pencilled in for one of 27, 28 or 29 September.

These dates fall within the wider international window already allocated by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for the first two rounds of qualifying.

First competitive meeting with South Sudan

The clash with South Sudan will be Egypt’s first competitive international against their neighbours.

The two sides have met only once before at senior level, in a friendly in 2023, when Egypt ran out 3-0 winners.

Egypt have been drawn in Group B for the 2027 qualifying competition alongside Angola, South Sudan and Malawi, with four teams in the section as in all other groups.

The Pharaohs will be looking to secure one of the two automatic qualification places on offer in the group.

Format and CAF calendar

CAF has set out a six-round qualifying schedule spread across three international windows.

The first and second rounds are due to be played between 21 September and 6 October 2026.

Matchdays three and four are scheduled for 9 to 17 November 2026.

The final two rounds, five and six, are set to take place from 22 to 30 March 2027.

The qualifying competition is made up of 12 groups, each containing four teams.

The top two sides in every group – 24 teams in total – will progress directly to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations finals.

East African co-hosts

The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

The finals tournament is scheduled to run from 19 June to 17 July 2027 and will feature 24 national teams.

Egypt, the record winners of the competition, will be aiming to secure their place at a tournament being staged in East Africa for the first time under this three-nation hosting plan.