Africa Cup of Nations 2027 dates confirmed by CAF

The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will take place from 19 June to 17 July, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially confirmed.

The 36th edition of Africa’s biggest international football tournament will be hosted jointly by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, marking the first time the competition has been organised across three East African nations.

The tournament will run for almost a month, with 24 of the continent’s national teams competing for the Africa Cup of Nations title. The confirmation of the dates provides a firm timetable for the event and begins the final countdown towards the tournament.

Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are working together under the name Pamoja, which means “Together” in Swahili. The joint project is intended to create a shared tournament experience for football supporters across the three countries and represents an unprecedented co-hosting arrangement for the competition.

CAF’s announcement settles when the tournament will be played, with the opening date set for 19 June 2027 and the final scheduled for 17 July. The dates will now form the basis for the preparations taking place in the host countries.

The decision also comes as the next stage of the build-up approaches, with preparations for the necessary infrastructure continuing and the launch of the qualifying competition imminent.

For the three hosts, the event offers the opportunity to present a major continental football tournament through a joint East African project. Their partnership, brought together under the Pamoja banner, will place Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda at the centre of the Africa Cup of Nations for nearly four weeks.

The competition will feature 24 national selections, all aiming to secure the continental crown when the tournament begins in June 2027. CAF’s confirmation means the broad schedule is now known well in advance, allowing attention to turn towards preparations and qualification.

The Africa Cup of Nations remains the leading international football event in Africa, and the 2027 edition will carry additional significance because of its three-country organisation. Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will collectively host the 36th tournament, with the football programme extending from 19 June until 17 July.

As the qualifying process prepares to get under way, the announcement gives supporters and participating nations a clear date from which to plan. The infrastructure work and organisational preparations will continue before the 24-team tournament brings together the continent’s leading national sides in East Africa.

CAF’s confirmation therefore marks an important step in the organisation of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. The tournament will be played under the Pamoja project, with Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda joining forces to stage a month-long celebration of African football.