CAF Confirms AFCON 2027 Will Kick Off on 19 June Next Year

The Confederation of African Football has officially confirmed the kick‑off date for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with the championship scheduled to run from 19 June to 18 July 2027.

The dates were confirmed via a communiqué posted on the confederation’s website on Wednesday, 8 April 2026.

The 36th edition of Africa’s premier men’s football tournament will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, marking the first time three nations in East Africa will co‑host the competition. Organisers have branded the event under the “Pamoja” banner, a Swahili word meaning “together,” underscoring regional cooperation ahead of the tournament.

CAF’s announcement sets a clear timeline for teams and fans alike as preparations accelerate across the host countries. The month‑long tournament will see Africa’s top national teams compete for continental glory, with matches to be staged at venues across the three co‑hosts.

This edition of AFCON will also be historic for its location; it will bring major global attention to East Africa and is expected to generate economic and tourism benefits for the region. Officials from the host nations and CAF say stadium upgrades, transport planning and infrastructure work are underway in advance of the June start.

The announcement follows earlier confirmation of the qualifying schedule and reflects CAF’s broader efforts to deliver a well‑organised and high‑profile championship spanning nearly a month.