The road to East Africa: qualifying draw sets up 12 groups for PAMOJA 2027
The qualifying draw for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 was completed in Cairo, mapping out the path for 48 nations chasing 24 finals places in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
Format: top two from each group go through
The 48 qualifiers are split into 12 groups of four. The top two finishers in each group book their place at the finals, with qualifying played across three FIFA windows: September 21–October 6, 2026; November 9–17, 2026; and March 22–30, 2027.
Hosts already through, but still playing
Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania are automatically qualified as co-hosts of the historic tri-nation PAMOJA 2027 finals, but all three were still included in the group draw and will play their qualifiers for competitive rhythm and to protect the integrity of their groups — Kenya in Group D, Uganda in Group H and Tanzania in Group L.
Regional rivalries headline the draw
Defending champions Côte d'Ivoire were kept apart from the other big West African sides, drawing Ghana in Group C. Reigning runners-up Nigeria face a testing Group L alongside co-host Tanzania. Algeria, 2019 champions, were paired with Zambia and Togo in Group I, while seven-time winners Egypt open against Angola in Group B.
What's next
With no matches played yet, attention turns to the September international window, when Matchdays 1 and 2 of qualifying kick off across the continent. MatchdayX will carry live updates and reports as the road to PAMOJA 2027 begins.
Sources: CAF Online, July 2026.