CAF proposes June 2028 dates for Africa Cup of Nations finals

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has proposed a schedule for the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with the final tournament expected to take place from 7 June to 10 July 2028.

The proposed calendar also outlines the dates for the qualifying campaign, which will determine the teams that secure places at the continental showpiece.

According to the proposed schedule, the preliminary round of qualifiers will be held between 7 and 15 June 2027, with the 12 lowest-ranked national teams expected to compete in home-and-away fixtures.

The winners of those ties will progress to the group-stage qualifying campaign, which is expected to involve 48 national teams.

The group qualifiers will be played across three international windows, with the first four matchdays scheduled between 20 September and 5 October 2027.

The remaining two matchdays will take place from 8 to 16 November 2027, bringing the qualifying campaign to a close.

Teams will then turn their attention to the final tournament, which is scheduled to run for more than a month, from 7 June to 10 July 2028.

The proposed dates provide an early indication of the timetable for the next edition of Africa’s biggest football competition, although the schedule remains subject to official confirmation by CAF.

The 2028 tournament will follow the 2027 edition, which is scheduled to be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

CAF’s proposed calendar also reflects the return to a two-year AFCON cycle following the decision to move away from the previously planned four-year format.

Further details, including the final qualifying format and the host nation for the 2028 tournament, are expected to be communicated as preparations progress.