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Rabat -The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has now made it official: the key dates for the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 are locked in, giving fans and teams a clear timeline for what promises to be a historic tournament in East Africa.
According to the announcement made today, the opening match will be played on Saturday, June 19, 2027, with the final set for Saturday, July 17, 2027. Yet still undecided is where those two major matches will actually take place. CAF confirmed that the host for both the opener and the final, between Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda will be announced later, once planning between the three nations is finalized.
🚨 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟: The 2027 AFCON tournament will start on the 19th of June and end on the 17th of July.
It will take place in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. pic.twitter.com/7n9wGrxNHX
— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) May 2, 2026
A historic edition taking shape
This tournament will be the first time in history that three countries share hosting duties, a move that reflects both ambition and regional unity. It also marks the return of the competition to East Africa for the first time since 1976, which is even more significant.
On the sporting side, the format remains familiar. A total of 24 teams will take part in the finals, while the road to qualification is about to get underway. The draw for the qualifiers is scheduled for May 19 with 48 teams competing for a place in the tournament.
All of these point to a competition that’s being carefully built step by step. CAF is clearly taking its time with key decisions, especially when it comes to logistics and venues, but the direction is now clear.
The dates are now confirmed and the qualification process is about to begin. AFCON 2027 is starting to feel real.
Read also: Uganda FA President Wants to Make AFCON 2027 ‘the Best Ever’
