The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations could welcome first-time participants. Of the ten national teams that had never reached the finals, five are still in contention: Central African Republic, Eritrea, Lesotho, Somalia and South Sudan. All five are in the group stage, with the opening matches scheduled to begin on September 24. Qualification would give any of them a first appearance at Africa’s leading international tournament.
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Which Nations Have Never Played at AFCON and Could Make Their Debut in 2027?
Five national teams that have never appeared at the Africa Cup of Nations finals remain in contention for 2027. Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan, Lesotho and Central African Republic are pursuing historic qualification.
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Eritrea returns after almost two decades
Eritrea played its first AFCON qualifier since 2007 in March 2026. It then defeated Eswatini 4-1 on aggregate, winning both legs to reach the main qualifying stage.
The next challenge is substantial. Eritrea is in Group D alongside South Africa, Guinea and Kenya. Because Kenya has already qualified automatically as a co-host, only one of the other three teams can claim the additional berth. Eritrea opens its group campaign against Kenya on September 26.
Somalia and South Sudan have already cleared one hurdle
Somalia eliminated Mauritius after two goalless matches, advancing 4-2 in a penalty shootout. It will now face Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and The Gambia in Group C, starting with a match against The Gambia on September 25.
South Sudan also came through the preliminary round, beating Djibouti 4-1 on aggregate. Its Group B opponents are Egypt, Angola and Malawi. The South Sudanese begin away to Malawi on September 25.
Neither country has appeared at the finals. Winning a preliminary tie represents progress in this qualifying campaign, although it offers no guarantee of success against more established continental opponents.
Lesotho and Central African Republic seek a first appearance
Lesotho advanced after a goalless first leg against Seychelles and a 2-1 win in the return match. Group A places it alongside Morocco, Gabon and Niger, with an opening trip to Niger on September 25.
Central African Republic entered the group stage directly, without playing in the preliminary round. It has been drawn in Group F with Burkina Faso, Benin and Mauritania, whom it visits in its first match on September 24.
What would it take to qualify?
In most groups, the top two teams qualify after six matches, three at home and three away. Eritrea faces a different equation: Kenya already has a place as a host, so only one more side will qualify from Group D.
Five teams could therefore make a historic first appearance in 2027, but none has qualified yet. Whether any of them achieves that milestone will be decided over the six group-stage matchdays, not by reputation or past appearances.
