The Africa Cup of Nations 2027 will run from 19 June to 17 July 2027. It will be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The venues for the opening match and final will be announced later. This will be the first AFCON shared by three countries.
The tournament returns to East Africa for the first time since 1976. CAF expects it to reach more than 400 million people across the region.
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Qualifiers and key dates
The qualifying draw will take place on 19 May 2026.
Forty-eight teams will compete. The three hosts qualify automatically but will still play qualifiers to prepare. Teams will be split into 12 groups of four. The top two from each group will reach the finals.
Matches will be played in three FIFA windows:
- 21 September to 6 October 2026
- 9 to 17 November 2026
- 22 to 30 March 2027
Readiness and construction work
CAF inspections in early 2026 showed progress but also delays.
Uganda has the biggest challenges. By March 2026, none of its stadiums met CAF Category 4 standards. The government launched a $27m credit scheme to support new five-star hotels in Hoima and Masindi.
Kenya received a warning about delays at the Talanta Sports Complex, now expected to be finished in mid-2026. Upgrades are also under way at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani and the Nyayo National Stadium.
Tanzania is seen as the most ready. The Samia Suluhu Stadium and projects in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar are moving faster.
Economic plans and travel upgrades
A $150m “Afcon City” project on Unguja Island aims to build a long-term sports tourism hub.
Transport links, airports and cross-border travel systems are also being upgraded to leave a long-term legacy.
Security and backup hosts
CAF chose the June-July dates to avoid Kenya’s general election in August 2027.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe supports the East African hosts. South Africa and Rwanda remain on standby as backup hosts if needed.
