Somalia Drawn With Ivory Coast, Ghana in 2027 AFCON Qualifiers

GOOBJOOG NEWS | CAIRO: Somalia’s national football team has been drawn against former African champions Ivory Coast and Ghana in the group stage of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers during a ceremony held in Cairo.

Somalia’s Ocean Stars were placed in Group C alongside Ivory Coast, Ghana and Gambia following the draw organised by the Confederation of African Football.

The draw marks a historic milestone for Somalia, which reached the AFCON group qualification stage for the first time after recent improvements in the national team’s performances in continental competitions.

CAF said 48 teams, including hosts Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, were divided into 12 groups of four teams each, with the top two teams from every group qualifying for the final tournament.

The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will be the first edition of the tournament to be jointly hosted by three East African countries, reflecting growing efforts by the region to expand its role in continental football and sports infrastructure development.

The tournament is scheduled to run from June 19 to July 17, 2027.

Somalia faces a difficult qualification path against more experienced opponents, particularly Ivory Coast, the reigning African champions, and four-time AFCON winners Ghana.

However, Somali football officials have in recent years pointed to growing investment in youth football, domestic competitions and international partnerships as part of efforts to revive the country’s football profile after decades of conflict and instability disrupted sporting activities.