Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers Resume in November
Ghana has parted ways with head coach Carlos Queiroz as qualifying for the 2027 finals continues across the continent.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Soccer
Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers resume with rounds scheduled for November 2026, and Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast and Morocco have won all their matches so far. Ghana replaced Carlos Queiroz on a caretaker basis with Kim Lars Bjorkegren after a loss to Gambia.
Why it matters
The 2027 finals will feature 24 teams and be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, so each qualifying result shapes which nations reach the continental showpiece. Ghana's coaching change follows a poor run that saw the team concede four goals in a home defeat, leaving its path to qualification uncertain.
Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast and Morocco have won every qualifier so far, while Nigeria lost 3-0 to Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde sit bottom of Group K after two defeats. How the remaining groups finish will depend on results still to come.
The players
Carlos Queiroz
Carlos Queiroz is a veteran football coach whose departure from Ghana followed the team's defeat by Gambia.
Kim Lars Bjorkegren
Kim Lars Bjorkegren is a coach who was appointed on a caretaker basis to lead Ghana after Queiroz's exit.
The details
Qualifiers resume in November 2026 as the campaign moves through group games in international windows, with the final two rounds scheduled for March 2027. Ghana lost to Ivory Coast at the start of its campaign and then to Gambia in September, prompting the change of coach. Somalia has ceded home advantage because it lacks an international standard stadium.
Timeline
September 2026: Gambia defeats Ghana in Group C.
November 10, 2026: Qualifiers get under way Thursday.
March 2027: The last two qualifying rounds are scheduled.
June 19 to July 17, 2027: The Africa Cup of Nations finals take place in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Season Trajectory
The qualifying campaign feeds into the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations finals, which will be expanded to 24 teams and co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Two teams qualify from all but three of the 12 groups, so early results such as Ghana's setback are shaping which national sides reach that tournament.
Ghana's caretaker arrangement means its next matches will be overseen by Kim Lars Bjorkegren until a permanent appointment is made. Fantasy and fan planning should account for Ghana's uncertain qualifying form and the Cape Verde and Nigeria results that are shaping the table.
The takeaway
Qualifying results so far show that a few nations are already positioned strongly while others face difficult paths, so readers should watch the standings as the final rounds approach in March. Changes in coaching staff, such as Ghana's, can quickly affect a team's momentum in the remaining matches.
What happens next
The Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers continue in November 2026 with the final two rounds scheduled for March 2027, and the 2027 finals run from June 19 to July 17 in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Further reading
For more on the tournament's continental picture, see our Soccer coverage.
