CAN 2027 Qualifiers: 12 Teams to Play Home Matches at Neutral Venues, Benin to Host Mauritania in Abidjan

The qualifiers for the CAN 2027 begin with 12 teams required to play their home matches at neutral venues due to a lack of stadiums deemed compliant by CAF. Benin will host Mauritania in Abidjan on September 29.

The Squirrels will play this second match of Group F at the Alassane-Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpé, at 7:00 pm GMT. This venue was chosen to replace the Félix-Houphouët-Boigny Stadium, which was initially announced for the Benin match.

Before this relocated fixture, Benin will kick off their campaign on Friday, September 25, in Ouagadougou against Burkina Faso. Mauritania and the Central African Republic complete the group. The four teams will have six matches to compete for the two qualifying spots.

Across the continent, 48 teams are divided into 12 groups. The top two teams from nine groups will advance to the final phase. In groups that include Kenya, Tanzania, or Uganda, already qualified as co-hosts, only one additional spot will be available.

The final phase, featuring 24 teams, is scheduled to take place from June 19 to July 17, 2027, in East Africa. The 12 teams playing away from home will face a competitive and logistical challenge as they lose the usual advantage of home support and familiar terrain.