The 36th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2027)—officially branded as TotalEnergies CAF AFCON PAMOJA 2027, is set to make history as one of the most groundbreaking tournaments in African football history.
From unprecedented multi-nation hosting to its return to East Africa after more than half a century, here is your definitive guide to AFCON 2027.
Host Nations: Who is Hosting AFCON 2027?
For the first time in tournament history, AFCON will be jointly hosted by three nations:
🇰🇪 Kenya
🇹🇿 Tanzania
🇺🇬 Uganda
The tournament is held under the unifying name "PAMOJA"—a Swahili word meaning "together"—symbolizing East African unity and cross-border cooperation. This marks the first time AFCON returns to the East African region since Ethiopia hosted the tournament in 1976, ending a 51-year wait.
Tournament Dates: What Month is AFCON 2027?
AFCON 2027 will take place during the summer window:
Start Date: Saturday, June 19, 2027 (Opening Match)
End Date: Saturday, July 17, 2027 (Final & Third-Place Play-off)
Duration: 29 days of continuous tournament football
The opening match and ceremony are slated to take place at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Will There Be an AFCON in 2027 and 2028?
Qualified Teams, Groups & Tournament Format
Despite rumors suggesting a potential tournament expansion, CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe reaffirmed that AFCON 2027 will stick to its proven 24-team structure:
Total Qualifying Teams: 24 national teams
Automatic Qualifiers: All 3 co-host nations (Kenya 🇰🇪, Tanzania 🇹🇿, Uganda 🇺🇬) qualify automatically for the final tournament.
Group Structure: 6 groups of 4 teams (Groups A through F).
Knockout Stage: Top 2 teams from each group plus the 4 best third-placed teams advance to the Round of 16.
AFCON 2027 Qualifiers & Format
The qualification campaign will feature 48 teams split into 12 groups of 4 teams each.
Qualification Schedule
The qualifiers will be played across three FIFA international windows starting in late 2026:
| Matchdays | FIFA International Window |
| Matchdays 1 & 2 | September 21 – October 6, 2026 |
| Matchdays 3 & 4 | November 9 – November 17, 2026 |
| Matchdays 5 & 6 | March 22 – March 30, 2027 |
Qualification Rule for Host Groups: While all three co-hosts (Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda) participate in the qualifying rounds, they are guaranteed spots at the finals. In any group containing a co-host, only the single highest-ranked team other than the host nation will earn qualification.
AFCON 2027 Host Venues & Stadiums
Host venues across all three nations are undergoing major upgrades and development ahead of the tournament:
| Host Country | Venue / Stadium | Location | Capacity / Notes |
| Tanzania | Benjamin Mkapa Stadium | Dar es Salaam | 60,000 (Main Venue & Opening Match) |
| Tanzania | Amani Stadium / Maisara Complex | Zanzibar | Island host venue |
| Tanzania | Arusha Stadium | Arusha | Purpose-built modern arena |
| Kenya | Talanta Sports City Stadium | Nairobi | Modern 60,000-seat flagship venue |
| Kenya | Kasarani / Nyayo Stadiums | Nairobi | Renovated multi-purpose venues |
| Uganda | Mandela National Stadium (Namboole) | Kampala | Main national arena |
| Uganda | Hoima Stadium / Phillip Omondi Stadium | Hoima / Kampala | Regional secondary venues |
How AFCON 2027 Compares to Previous Editions
| Feature | Past AFCON Editions | AFCON PAMOJA 2027 |
| Host Format | Single host nation or dual co-hosts (e.g., Gabon/Equatorial Guinea 2012) | First 3-nation joint host in AFCON history |
| Region | Predominantly North, West, and Southern Africa | First East African host region in 51 years (since Ethiopia 1976) |
| Automatic Spots | 1 or 2 host spots guaranteed | 3 automatic host qualifications |
| Calendar Window | Often shifted to Jan/Feb due to weather | Fixed June–July summer schedule |
