The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed that the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will be played from June 19 to July 17, though it stopped short of designating which of the three co-host nations – Uganda, Kenya, or Tanzania – will stage the opening match or the final.
The dates were approved by the FIFA Council in Vancouver, Canada, following assurances that the East African nations would be ready to host. Concerns over potential delays were allayed by CAF President Patrice Motsepe, who successfully resisted calls to postpone the tournament until 2028.
“We have worked hard to ensure that the AFCON is held in East Africa, and our commitment remains unwavering,” Mr Motsepe said. “I am confident that we will organise a very successful AFCON in these three countries.”
The 2027 edition marks the first time the continental showpiece will be spread across three nations. It also signals the return of the competition to East Africa for the first time since the 1976 tournament in Ethiopia.
