The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has officially announced the kick-off and concluding dates for the significant Africa Cup of Nations 2027 via their official X handle. The tournament will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
They posted:
It can’t come soon enough! 🌍Here are the key dates for the #TotalEnergiesAFCON Pamoja 2027. Ready?
CAF has stated that the tournament’s opening match is set for June 19, 2027, with the final match taking place on July 17, 2027. These dates received approval from the FIFA Council at their recent meeting in Vancouver. The specific host nation for both the opening match and the final has not yet been disclosed by CAF.
Softfootball reports that this edition of AFCON is notable as it will be the first time the event is held across three nations, providing an exceptional chance to involve over 400 million individuals in the East African region.
Preparations for the tournament are already in progress, with the preliminary round concluded. The focus is now on the qualifiers’ draw, set for May 19, 2026, where 48 teams, including the three co-hosting nations, will be divided into 12 groups of four. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the final tournament.
The 2027 AFCON also signifies a return to East Africa for the first time since the event was held in Ethiopia in 1976, underlining the region’s increasing significance in African football.
CAF anticipates that this tournament will enhance the achievements of recent editions, including the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 and 2023, both of which saw significant commercial advancement, an increase in sponsorships, and global viewership, further establishing the growing worldwide appeal of African football.
The Confederation of African Football has also intensified efforts for the TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2026 with a promotional countdown message.
