The road to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations is about to begin, and football fans have plenty of names to watch. The opening qualification matches are scheduled from late September into early October 2026, bringing some of Africa’s most recognized players back into the spotlight while giving emerging talents a chance to make their mark.

With 48 teams competing across 12 groups, the campaign promises a busy start to the journey toward the tournament in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

Big Names Return to the Spotlight

Several established players will headline the opening fixtures, giving their national teams valuable experience during an important stage of qualification. Guinea, for example, will have Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy leading its attacking options for matches against South Africa and Kenya. Ilaix Moriba is also back in the squad after being recalled by coach Paulo Duarte. The selection combines familiar names with new additions as Guinea begins its campaign.

Other major football nations also have plenty of recognizable talent. Senegal face Mozambique and Ethiopia, while Nigeria meet Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau during the opening rounds. Egypt will play Angola and South Sudan, while Algeria begin against Zambia before facing Burundi.

Fresh Talent Gets Its Chance

The qualifiers are not only about established stars. Several national teams are using the opening window to introduce younger players and test new combinations. Morocco have taken a particularly interesting approach, with coach Mohamed Ouahbi naming three uncapped players in his first senior squad. Abdellah Ouazane, Soufian El Faouzi and Yassir Zabiri have all been included, with 17-year-old Ouazane among the players attracting attention. Morocco will face Gabon before travelling to meet Lesotho.

Côte d’Ivoire are also entering a new phase. Coach Hervé Renard has selected eight new players for the opening qualifiers against Ghana and Somalia. Patrick Zabi, Eddy Doué, Amadou Koné, Malick Yalcouyé, Christ Tapé and Kassoum Ouattara are among the newcomers, while Yann Gboho and Rayan Fofana have also been given opportunities. For these players, qualification matches offer a valuable opportunity to establish themselves at international level.

Opening Matches Bring Strong Tests

The first two matchdays feature several intriguing meetings. Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana will meet in Group C, while Morocco host Gabon in Group A. Egypt face Angola in Group B, and Algeria take on Zambia in Group I.

Guinea's opening match against South Africa is another fixture worth following, particularly with Guirassy returning to lead the attack. Meanwhile, Nigeria will welcome Madagascar, and Senegal will host Mozambique. Because teams have six matchdays in total, the opening results will not decide qualification on their own. However, a strong start can provide useful momentum before the next international window in November.

A New Generation Takes Shape

One of the most interesting aspects of this qualification campaign is the balance between experience and youth. Some teams are relying on established international players, while others are introducing promising newcomers. That mixture could shape the teams that eventually reach the 2027 finals. Players who perform well during these early matches may become important figures for their countries later in the campaign.

At the same time, experienced stars have the chance to guide younger teammates through the demands of international football. The combination can give national teams greater depth as the qualification schedule becomes more demanding.

The AFCON 2027 qualifiers are ready to bring another wave of international football excitement, with familiar stars, returning players and emerging talents all competing for attention. From Guirassy's role with Guinea to Morocco's youthful selections and Côte d’Ivoire's new faces, there are plenty of individual stories to follow.

With the first matches arriving from 24 September, the focus now shifts to performances on the pitch. The players who seize their opportunities could become some of the defining figures of the qualification campaign as teams continue their journey toward the 2027 finals.