The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has announced the official kickoff and final dates for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), confirming a landmark edition that will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
According to CAF, the tournament will begin on June 19, 2027, with the final scheduled for July 17, 2027.
AFCON 2027 stands out as the first edition to be staged across three countries, a move expected to significantly expand the tournament’s footprint in East Africa and reach an estimated audience of over 400 million people.
The competition also marks a return to the region for the first time since the 1976 AFCON, ending a wait of more than 50 years.
In a statement released by CAF, the draw for the qualifiers is set for May 19, 2026, with 48 teams, including the three host nations, expected to participate.
The teams will be drawn into 12 groups of four, with the top two from each group progressing to the final tournament. Qualification matches will be played across three FIFA international windows, from September to October 2026, November 2026, and March 2027.
