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AFCON 2027 Preliminary Draw Sets Up Six Crucial Showdowns

13 January 2026

AFCON 2027 Preliminary Draw

The draw for the AFCON 2027 preliminary round took place on Tuesday, establishing a home-and-away format with 12 teams competing for six spots in the final qualifying phase.

Opening Ties Revealed

• Djibouti vs South Sudan

• Chad vs Burundi

• Somalia vs Mauritius

• Seychelles vs Lesotho

• Eritrea vs Eswatini

• Sao Tome and Principe vs Ethiopia

Djibouti aims to reach the final qualifying stage, while Ethiopia hopes to overcome Sao Tome to reach the last phase of the qualifiers.

The CAF confirms that the winners on aggregate from these ties will advance to the main qualifying round.

The 2025 edition is currently being held in Morocco, with Morocco facing Nigeria and Egypt meeting Senegal in the semifinals of the continental championship.

CAF also announced that the tournament will be held every four years starting from the 2028 edition.

Author

Michael Whooosh

I am Michael Whooosh, an English sports journalist born in 1986. Passionate about surfing, poetry, and beekeeping, I share my human and sensitive view of sports.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which teams are in the preliminary ties?

Djibouti-South Sudan, Chad-Burundi, Somalia-Mauritius, Seychelles-Lesotho, Eritrea-Eswatini, and Sao Tome and Principe-Ethiopia.

What happens to the winners?

Winners on aggregate advance to the main qualifying round.

Where is the 2025 AFCON edition being played?

The 2025 edition is in Morocco, with Morocco-Nigeria and Egypt-Senegal in the semifinals.

How often will the AFCON tournament be held?

Every four years starting from 2028.