CAN 2027 (Q): schedule of matches, fixtures and calendar for matchday 1

From Thursday, September 24 to Saturday, September 26, 2026, the first matchday of the group stage features 24 decisive fixtures. Discover the key storylines of the major clashes and the full match schedule for this international window.

The standout fixtures of Matchday 1

• Côte d'Ivoire – Ghana (Group C): this West African clash played in Bouaké is the headline fixture of this qualifying opener. The match marks the grand return of Hervé Renard to the Éléphants' bench, with eight new players called up, against a Black Stars side strengthened by the return of key players who were absent during the last World Cup.

• Morocco – Gabon (Group A): in Rabat, the Atlas Lions begin a new chapter under the guidance of Mohamed Ouahbi, who is integrating several young talents (Ouazane, El Faouzi, Zabiri). Gabon, managed by Sébastien Migné, are on their side turning the page as they attempt to bounce back after a last AFCON that left its mark.

• Nigeria – Madagascar (Group L): the Super Eagles begin their campaign without their star striker Victor Osimhen, ruled out through a muscular injury for this international window.

Algeria – Zambia, Egypt – Angola and Senegal – Mozambique round out a schedule rich in high-stakes duels.

AFCON 2027 Qualification: how it works

The 48 teams are divided into 12 groups of four. The qualification system works as follows:

• General rule: the top two nations in each group qualify directly for the final tournament.

• Exceptions (Groups D, H and L): as Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania are automatically qualified as host nations, only the highest-placed team behind the host nation in each of these groups will secure their spot.

The qualifying schedule

• Matchdays 1 and 2: September 24 to October 6, 2026.

• Matchdays 3 and 4: November 9 to 17, 2026.

• Matchdays 5 and 6: March 22 to 30, 2027.

Matchday 1 qualifying schedule (GMT kick-off times)

Thursday, September 24, 2026

• 1pm - Group G: Namibia – Congo

• 4pm - Group E: DR Congo – Equatorial Guinea

• 4pm - Group F: Mauritania – Central African Republic

• 4pm - Group H: Libya – Botswana

• 7pm - Group C: Côte d'Ivoire – Ghana

• 7pm - Group E: Sierra Leone – Zimbabwe

• 7pm - Group G: Cameroon – Comoros

• 7pm - Group H: Tunisia – Uganda

Friday, September 25, 2026

• 1pm - Group L: Tanzania – Guinea-Bissau

• 3pm - Group A: Niger – Lesotho

• 4pm - Group B: Malawi – South Sudan

• 4pm - Group C: Gambia – Somalia

• 4pm — Group I: Togo – Burundi

• 4pm - Group J: Sudan – Ethiopia

• 4pm - Group K: Rwanda – Liberia

• 4pm - Group L: Nigeria – Madagascar

• 7pm - Group A: Morocco – Gabon

• 7pm - Group B: Egypt – Angola

• 7pm - Group F: Burkina Faso – Benin

• 7pm - Group I: Algeria – Zambia

• 7pm - Group J: Senegal – Mozambique

• 7pm - Group K: Mali – Cape Verde

Saturday, September 26, 2026

• 1pm - Group D: Kenya – Eritrea

• 4pm - Group D: South Africa – Guinea