The next Africa Cup of Nations is already taking shape. The 2027 edition, dubbed CAN Pamoja, will be historic as it will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, a first for three simultaneous host countries.
The competition is scheduled from June 19 to July 17, 2027. It will bring together 24 national teams and will mark the return of AFCON to East Africa, more than fifty years after the first edition held in the region.
🌍✨ An AFCON across three countries, one united continent
Nairobi, Dar es Salaam and Kampala will be at the heart of the tournament. This joint organisation aims to shine a spotlight on East African football and develop the region's sporting infrastructure.
The name Pamoja, which means 'together' in Swahili, perfectly embodies this desire to unite three nations around a single continental event.
🗺️🏆 48 nations on the road to AFCON
The qualification phase brings together 48 national teams divided into 12 groups of four. The top two teams in each group are normally expected to secure their place in the final phase.
However, one particular rule applies to groups that include a host nation: since the host is already automatically qualified, only one other team can earn their ticket directly through the group.
The first qualifying matches are scheduled between September 21 and October 6, 2026. The following matchdays will take place in November, before the final fixtures close out proceedings in March 2027.
🦁🇸🇳 Senegal already looking ahead to 2027
Senegal has been drawn into Group J, alongside Mozambique, Sudan and Ethiopia. The Lions will need to quickly assert themselves at the top of their group to avoid any unwanted surprises and reaffirm their status among the continent's leading nations.
AFCON 2027 is still some way off, but the road ahead is now mapped out. In less than a year, East Africa will host an unprecedented edition, and for the 48 nations involved in qualifying, the countdown begins as early as September.
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