The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially confirmed the key dates and competition format for the qualification pathway to the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 with the tournament set to be co-hosted by three East African countries.
The formal journey towards AFCON 2027 will commence with the Qualification Draw, scheduled for 19 May 2026. This ceremony will determine the composition of the twelve groups and set the stage for six intense matchdays spread across three international windows.
The qualifying rounds are structured as follows:
Matchdays 1-2: 21 September – 6 October 2026
Matchdays 3-4: 9 – 17 November 2026
Matchdays 5-6: 22 – 30 March 2027
A total of 48 countries, including the three co‑hosts, will contest the qualification phase. The format will feature 12 groups of four teams each, with only the top two finishers from every group securing a place at the final tournament.
While the identity of the country responsible for hosting the opening match and the venue for the grand final remain subject to a forthcoming announcement by CAF, the confirmed dates for the final tournament itself are now firmly established.
The tournament will officially commence with the opening match on Saturday, 19 June 2027, and will culminate in the final on Saturday, 17 July 2027.
East Africa prepares to welcome the continent for the first time in the tournament’s modern era.