AFCON 2027 (Africa Cup of Nations): dates, hosts, stadiums and qualifying groups
East Africa's first AFCON: Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda co-host the 24-team tournament, June 19 – July 17, 2027.
Updated
Overview
The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Pamoja 2027) goes to East Africa for the first time after CAF chose the joint bid from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. CAF has confirmed the dates: June 19 – July 17, 2027. New and renovated stadiums are being delivered in Nairobi, Dar es Salaam and Kampala ahead of the tournament.
It follows AFCON 2025 in Morocco (played December 2025 – January 2026) and keeps the 24-team format used since 2019. Qualifying is under way: the 12 groups were drawn in May 2026 and matchday 1 was played on September 24–26, 2026 — holders Morocco beat Gabon 2–0, Côte d'Ivoire beat Ghana 2–0, and hosts Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania managed two draws and a defeat. CAF president Patrice Motsepe said in September 2026 that stadium preparations were behind schedule but ruled out a postponement.
Hosts and venues
- Talanta Sports City, Nairobi (new build)
- Kasarani Stadium, Nairobi
- Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Dar es Salaam
- Arusha (new stadium under construction)
- Hoima City Stadium (new build)
- Namboole (Mandela National Stadium), Kampala
Format
- 24 teams in six groups of four; group winners, runners-up and the four best third-placed teams reach the Round of 16.
- Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, third-place play-off and final.
The path to AFCON 2027: how teams qualify
| Route | How it works |
|---|---|
| Hosts | Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda qualify automatically as co-hosts. They still play in the qualifying groups (D, H and L), but their results do not count towards qualification. |
| Qualifying groups | The draw on May 19, 2026 split the remaining nations into 12 groups of four. The top two in each group qualify, except in the three host groups, where only the best-placed non-host team goes through — 21 places in all. |
| Matchdays | Six matchdays across three windows: September 24 – October 6, 2026 (matchdays 1–2), November 9–17, 2026 (matchdays 3–4) and March 22–30, 2027 (matchdays 5–6). All matchday-1 results and every group table are on the qualifiers page. |
Latest AFCON 2027 updates
AFCON 2027 qualifiers, matchday 2 begins: DR Congo win 2–1 in Zimbabwe to make it two from two, Equatorial Guinea and Burkina Faso also win. Most of the round is played on September 29, including Uganda's first competitive match at Hoima City Stadium. Details
AFCON 2027 qualifiers, matchday 1 complete: 24 matches, 63 goals. Morocco beat Gabon 2–0, Côte d'Ivoire beat Ghana 2–0, Egypt drew 0–0 with Angola; hosts Kenya and Uganda drew, Tanzania lost 0–2 to Guinea-Bissau. All results and 12 group tables are on the qualifiers page. Details
CAF president Patrice Motsepe says AFCON 2027 preparations are behind schedule and some venues are below standard, but rules out any postponement; stadiums must be ready for test events by January 2027. Details
Key dates
| When | What |
|---|---|
| May 19, 2026 | Qualifying draw held: 12 groups of four |
| September 24–26, 2026 | Qualifiers, matchday 1 played — 24 matches, 63 goals |
| September 28 – October 6, 2026 | Qualifiers, matchday 2 |
| November 9–17, 2026 | Qualifiers, matchdays 3–4 |
| March 22–30, 2027 | Qualifiers, matchdays 5–6 (qualifying ends) |
| Early 2027 | Final draw (TBC) |
| June 19, 2027 | Opening match |
| July 17, 2027 | Final |
Past winners
| Year | Host | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Morocco | Morocco (awarded 3–0 after Senegal's 1–0 win was ruled a forfeit) | Senegal |
| 2023 | Ivory Coast | Ivory Coast | Nigeria |
| 2021 | Cameroon | Senegal | Egypt |
| 2019 | Egypt | Algeria | Senegal |
| 2017 | Gabon | Cameroon | Egypt |
| 2015 | Equatorial Guinea | Ivory Coast | Ghana |
| 2013 | South Africa | Nigeria | Burkina Faso |
| 2012 | Gabon / Equatorial Guinea | Zambia | Ivory Coast |
| 2010 | Angola | Egypt | Ghana |
AFCON 2027 FAQ
Who hosts AFCON 2027?
Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, as a joint East African bid.
When is AFCON 2027?
June 19 – July 17, 2027, as confirmed by CAF.
How did the AFCON 2027 qualifiers start?
Matchday 1 was played on September 24–26, 2026: Morocco beat Gabon 2–0, Côte d'Ivoire beat Ghana 2–0, Egypt drew 0–0 with Angola, Nigeria beat Madagascar 2–1 and hosts Kenya and Uganda drew while Tanzania lost 0–2 to Guinea-Bissau. Matchday 2 runs until October 6; the remaining windows are November 2026 and March 2027.
How many teams play at AFCON 2027?
24, including the three hosts. The other 21 places come from the 12 qualifying groups drawn in May 2026.
Guides for AFCON 2027
More tournaments
Details marked TBC had not been confirmed by the organiser when this page was last reviewed (September 28, 2026).