Motsepe Confirms AFCON 2027 Dates As East Africa Prepares To Host
Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe has confirmed that the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), to be hosted by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, will take place in June and July next year.
Motsepe made the announcement during CAF’s General Assembly held in Tanzania on Friday, where he addressed a wide range of questions from the media.
AFCON 2027 Qualifiers Yet to Be Confirmed
While the tournament dates have been confirmed, the schedule for the AFCON 2027 qualifiers has not yet been finalised. However, the qualifiers are expected to begin later this year and conclude early next year.
A similar approach was used for the most recent AFCON tournament hosted by Morocco from December 2025 to January 2026. On that occasion, the qualifiers were compressed into a three-month window — September, October and November 2024.
CAF could adopt the same format again to ensure all qualification matches are completed within a short timeframe.
March this year has been reserved for international friendly matches and the FIFA international playoffs for the 2026 World Cup.
Bafana Bafana Set for Panama Friendlies
Bafana Bafana, who have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be hosted by Canada, Mexico and United States, are scheduled to play two international friendlies against Panama during the March window.
“The AFCON 2027 will take place in June and July next year,” Motsepe confirmed.
No Change to WAFCON Hosting Plans
Motsepe also dismissed speculation about relocating the tournament, stating there is no option to take AFCON away from the three East African hosts.
“Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will host an enormously successful AFCON,” he said confidently.
In addition, Motsepe confirmed that the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) will remain in Morocco, despite South Africa previously expressing interest in hosting should Morocco withdraw.
The upcoming WAFCON tournament — won by Nigeria women’s national football team last year — is scheduled to take place in Morocco from 17 March to 3 April.
