FIFA confirms slight change to date of 2027 Africa Cup of Nations
Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 29.04.26. | 14:20
The confirmation follows months of speculation over both the hosting arrangements and the calendar
The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has been formally ratified by the FIFA Council, confirming East Africa as hosts and bringing clarity to the tournament's schedule with a slight adjustment to the final date.
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The competition, which will be jointly staged in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, will kick off on Saturday, 19 June 2027, and will now conclude on Saturday, 17 July, a day earlier than the initially indicated Sunday, 18 July finish. The tournament retains its modern June to July window.
The confirmation follows months of speculation over both the hosting arrangements and the calendar, with Confederation of African Football (CAF) having previously withheld exact dates despite assurances the tournament would not be moved from the region or shifted to 2028.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe has maintained a firm stance on East Africa’s readiness and recently reiterated that position despite a technical report pointing to delays in preparations.
“The next AFCON is going to East Africa. I have no doubt about that, despite all the challenges,” Motsepe said.
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“There were challenges with CHAN, but we overcame them. I will be going to Kenya in a few weeks’ time to continue encouraging them.
I am very proud of the effort by President William Ruto and very proud of the commitment I have received from President Samia Suluhu Hassan and President Yoweri Museveni.”
On the operational front, CAF Acting General Secretary Samson Adamu expressed confidence that the tournament will meet expectations after a meeting with the three countries in Uganda last week.
“We are very confident of what we can deliver, and it’s going to be a very successful competition,” Adamu said.
He underscored the significance of the three-nation hosting model, describing it as a rare opportunity to present the continent’s flagship competition in a new way.
“It’s three countries that are hosting this competition. It presents a very unique opportunity for us to be able to show AFCON in a completely different light and three really amazing countries, unique in their own sense.”
Adamu also revealed that planning structures are already in motion following high-level consultations.
“We had a closed-door meeting where we aligned on all the priorities, all the execution, and the work that needs to be done,” he said.
Patrice Motsepe is expected in the country on Tuesday, 12 May, where he will meet government officials and representatives from the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) as the CAF moves to fast-track the three host nations’ preparations for the tournament.