The Confederation of African Football has confirmed the official timeline for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, marking a significant milestone as the tournament will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
According to CAF, the opening match is scheduled for June 19, 2027, while the final will be played on July 17, 2027. The governing body noted that the specific venues for both the opening game and the final will be announced at a later stage.
Branded “PAMOJA 2027,” the tournament will be the first in the competition’s history to be co-hosted by three countries, highlighting a new era of regional collaboration in African football. CAF said the event is expected to engage an audience of more than 400 million people across East Africa.
In addition, CAF outlined the qualification pathway for teams aiming to secure a place in the tournament. The draw for the main qualifiers is set for May 19, 2026, following the preliminary round.
A total of 48 teams, including the host nations, will compete in the qualifiers. These teams will be divided into 12 groups of four, with the top two sides from each group advancing to the final tournament.
The qualification matches will be played across three international windows: September to October 2026, November 2026, and March 2027, setting the stage for what promises to be a landmark edition of Africa’s premier football competition.
