The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially announced the dates for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will be hosted across three countries for the first time in the tournament’s history.
According to a communiqué posted on CAF’s website on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, the competition is scheduled to kick off on June 19 and conclude on July 18, 2027. The announcement comes as qualifying matches continue across the continent.
“This will be the first time in AFCON history that three nations will jointly host the tournament,” CAF noted, highlighting the organization’s ambition to expand the competition’s reach and infrastructure across Africa.
Scheduling the tournament in June and July is part of CAF’s strategy to align AFCON with the global football calendar. By doing so, the governing body aims to reduce clashes with European club seasons while ensuring ideal playing conditions for teams, many of which feature players active in top international leagues.
Despite the excitement over the 2027 edition, controversy still surrounds the 2025 AFCON. CAF controversially declared Morocco the winner, even though Senegal won the match on the pitch. The case is now under review at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which will determine the rightful champion after examining the evidence.
The announcement of the 2027 dates sets the stage for what promises to be a landmark edition of Africa’s premier football tournament, combining innovation, expanded hosting, and attention to players’ welfare.