2027 AFCON Qualification Tables: Groups A–F, Latest Standings and Strongest Teams

The race for places at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is heating up as 48 national teams battle for qualification to the historic tournament, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania from June 19 to July 17, 2027.

With the opening two matchdays completed, attention turns to Matchdays 3 and 4 in November 2026. Several African heavyweights have made promising starts, while other traditional powerhouses face pressure to improve their performances.

The 2027 AFCON qualifiers feature 12 groups, with the top two teams from nine groups qualifying automatically. In Groups D, H and L, which contain the three co-hosts, only the highest-ranked non-host nation will join them at the finals. Below are the latest 2027 AFCON qualification tables for Groups A to F, together with an assessment of each group's strongest team and its best AFCON achievement.

Standings below are after the first two matchdays, before the November 12–17 fixtures.

Group A: Morocco dominate the standings

Strongest team: Morocco. The Atlas Lions have made a perfect start with six points and an impressive defensive record. Morocco are also among the favourites for the 2027 tournament. Their best AFCON achievement is winning the competition in 1976.

Morocco enjoyed a memorable 2025 AFCON campaign on home soil, finishing as champions following CAF's subsequent ruling on the final. The Atlas Lions demonstrated their quality throughout the competition, with Brahim Díaz finishing as the tournament's top scorer with five goals. Gabon, on the other hand, endured a disappointing tournament, losing all three group-stage matches and exiting without a point. Niger and Lesotho did not qualify for the 2025 AFCON finals and will be hoping to make a stronger impression in the 2027 qualification campaign.

Group B: Egypt and Angola lead the race

Strongest team: Egypt. The Pharaohs are Africa's most successful national team, with seven AFCON titles. Their latest continental triumph came in 2010, completing an unprecedented three consecutive championships. Egypt will be expected to lead this group despite Angola's promising start.

Egypt were among the standout performers at the 2025 AFCON, reaching the semi-finals before finishing fourth after losing the third-place playoff. The Pharaohs once again demonstrated their continental pedigree and remain one of Africa's most successful national teams. Angola had a difficult tournament, collecting two draws and one defeat to finish third in their group, but failed to reach the knockout stages. Malawi and South Sudan were absent from the 2025 finals after failing to qualify, making the 2027 campaign an opportunity to return to Africa's biggest football stage.

Group C: Ivory Coast and Gambia set the pace

Strongest team: Ivory Coast. The defending African champions have three AFCON titles, having lifted the trophy in 1992, 2015 and 2023. However, Gambia have also collected maximum points, making this one of the most interesting groups. Ghana's two opening defeats have put the Black Stars under pressure.

Ivory Coast reached the quarter-finals of the 2025 AFCON, where their title defence ended following a 3–2 defeat to Egypt. The Elephants had entered the tournament as defending champions after winning the 2023 edition and remain a formidable force in African football. Gambia did not qualify for the 2025 finals, meaning the Scorpions will be eager to secure a place at the next tournament. Ghana also missed out on the competition, a major disappointment for the four-time African champions. Somalia did not qualify either and will be looking to make progress in their international football development.

Group D: South Africa lead as Kenya chase qualification

Strongest team: South Africa. Bafana Bafana have started strongly with six points. Their best AFCON achievement remains winning the 1996 tournament on home soil. Kenya, meanwhile, are automatically qualified as co-hosts, but will want to improve their performances ahead of the finals.

South Africa reached the round of 16 at the 2025 AFCON before suffering a 2–1 defeat to Cameroon. Bafana Bafana had previously finished third at the 2023 tournament and will be looking to improve on their latest outing. Guinea failed to qualify for the 2025 finals and will be determined to return to the continental competition. Kenya were also absent, having failed to qualify, but the Harambee Stars will automatically feature at the 2027 tournament as co-hosts. Eritrea did not participate in the 2025 finals and will face a difficult challenge in their quest to establish themselves among Africa's competitive national teams.

Group E: DR Congo take control

Strongest team: DR Congo. The Leopards have won the AFCON twice, in 1968 and 1974, when competing as Zaire. Their experience and strong opening performances make them favourites to progress from this group.

DR Congo reached the round of 16 at the 2025 AFCON before being eliminated by Algeria following a 1–0 defeat. The Leopards had enjoyed an impressive 2023 campaign, finishing fourth, and remain one of the strongest teams in this qualification group. Zimbabwe failed to progress beyond the group stage in Morocco, collecting just one point from three matches. Equatorial Guinea also suffered an early exit after losing all three group matches, finishing bottom of their group. Sierra Leone did not qualify for the 2025 tournament and will be hoping to return to the continental stage in 2027.

Group F: Benin and Burkina Faso battle for supremacy

Strongest team: Burkina Faso. Although Benin currently lead the group on goal difference, Burkina Faso have a stronger AFCON pedigree. Their best achievement was reaching the 2013 final, where they finished runners-up to Nigeria. Mauritania also remain in contention after collecting three points.

Benin reached the round of 16 at the 2025 AFCON but were eliminated by Egypt after a 3–1 defeat following extra time. Burkina Faso also progressed to the knockout stages, finishing second in their group before suffering a 3–0 defeat to Ivory Coast in the round of 16. Mauritania did not qualify for the 2025 finals, having previously enjoyed a memorable round-of-16 appearance at the 2023 tournament. The Central African Republic were also absent from the competition and will be aiming to make history by securing their first-ever AFCON finals appearance.

What next in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers?

The November international window could significantly reshape the standings, with Morocco, Egypt, Ivory Coast, South Africa, DR Congo and Burkina Faso among the teams looking to strengthen their qualification campaigns.

The competition is far from decided, and the remaining fixtures promise plenty of drama as Africa's national teams pursue a place at AFCON PAMOJA 2027.