The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will begin on 19 June 2027, with East Africa set to stage the continent’s biggest football tournament in a historic joint hosting arrangement between Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
The tournament, officially branded the Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027, marks the first time all three nations will co-host the competition, and the first return of the event to East Africa since 1976.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed that the final will take place on 17 July 2027, although the governing body has yet to determine which of the three host nations will stage the opening match, the final itself, and the official tournament draw.
The competition will feature 24 teams and is expected to draw more than 1.5 million fans across stadiums in the three host countries. Organisers are also projecting a global television audience of around 3.2 billion, underlining the growing international reach of African football.
CAF has adopted the tournament theme “PAMOJA”, a Swahili word meaning “Together”, reflecting the shared hosting model and a broader message of unity and cooperation across the continent.
Qualifying for the finals has already begun following the draw held in Cairo. Africa’s traditional powerhouses, including Morocco, Egypt, Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana and Algeria, are among the teams set to compete in the qualification campaign starting in September 2026.
Although Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda automatically qualify as co-hosts, they will still participate in the qualifying group stage. However, CAF regulations ensure that if they finish outside qualification places, one additional team from their respective groups will advance to the finals.
The qualifying process will run through FIFA international windows from September 2026 until March 2027, with teams competing across multiple matchdays to secure their place at the tournament.
CAF says preparations are ongoing across the three host nations, with stadium upgrades, transport infrastructure improvements and security planning underway to ensure the competition meets international standards.
The governing body has described the 2027 edition as a landmark moment for East African football, both in terms of sporting development and regional cooperation. Officials believe the joint hosting model will leave a lasting legacy for future generations of players and fans.
With just over a year until the opening match, anticipation is expected to build steadily as qualification intensifies and the continent’s top teams battle for places at what promises to be one of the most widely watched sporting events in African football history.
