Dates & format
AFCON 2027 schedule and format
Group-stage and knockout fixtures are published once qualifying finishes in March 2027. Here's how the tournament is structured and when qualifying itself takes place.
19 June – 17 July 2027
Duration
Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania
Host nations
24 nations
Teams
52 games
Total matches
Tournament format
Group Stage
24 teams divided into 6 groups of 4. Each team plays 3 matches. Top 2 from each group plus the 4 best third-placed teams advance — 36 matches.
Round of 16
Knockout stage begins with 16 qualified teams — 8 matches.
Quarter-finals
8 teams compete for semi-final spots — 4 matches.
Semi-finals
4 teams battle for a place in the final — 2 matches.
Final
The two best teams compete for the AFCON 2027 trophy.
Third-place play-off
Semi-final losers compete for bronze.
Qualifying windows
Confirmed for the finals
Kenya
Uganda
TanzaniaNot yet confirmed: Every other qualifying spot is still being contested. No non-host team is qualified for the finals until qualifying concludes in March 2027.