The next edition of the Africa Cup of Nations is now taking shape clearly. After several weeks of speculation, the Confederation of African Football has officially confirmed the dates and host countries for AFCON 2027.
Contrary to rumors suggesting a possible postponement to 2028, the tournament will indeed take place in 2027, from June 19 to July 18, right in the summer period. The announcement came from CAF President Patrice Motsepe, who wanted to clear up any ambiguity. According to him, the original schedule will be respected, with no delays. AFCON 2027 will return to a summer format, more in line with the international calendar.
The tournament will be jointly organized by three East African nations: Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. This is a historic first for this region, which has never hosted the competition in a tripartite format before.
Several major cities will be involved, including Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, and Kampala, along with other urban centers set to host matches.
However, this designation raised some questions, particularly regarding the state of sports infrastructure and the adherence to modernization deadlines. The CAF aims to reassure everyone: the concerned governments have made firm commitments to renovate stadiums, improve transport networks, and enhance hospitality capacities.
Beyond the sporting aspect, AFCON 2027 is set to be a major showcase for the economic and tourism development of East Africa.
The return to a summer organization also marks a strategic turning point. In recent years, the competition mainly took place in January-February, a period often fraught with tensions with European clubs. By opting for summer, CAF hopes to ease the release of players playing in Europe and ensure a higher level of competition.
This 36th edition promises to be a significant event. It symbolizes the tournament’s opening to new regions of the continent and CAF’s desire to modernize its image by aligning more closely with international standards.
More than just a sporting event, AFCON 2027 could mark a new decisive step in the history of African football.
