Road to East Africa: CAF Sets Kick-Off and Final Dates for AFCON PAMOJA 2027
CAF has officially confirmed the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON PAMOJA 2027 kick-off and final dates. Opening Match: 19 June 2027. Final: 17 July 2027. Qualifier Draw: 19 May 2026. Everything you need to know.
African football is going east. The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has officially confirmed the key dates for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 — the most ambitious edition of the continental showpiece in its entire history.
The dates are set
- Opening Match: Saturday, 19 June 2027
- Final: Saturday, 17 July 2027
- Qualifier Draw: Tuesday, 19 May 2026
The dates were approved by the FIFA Council at its recent meeting in Vancouver, Canada. CAF will confirm which country hosts the Opening Match and the Final in due course.
What makes PAMOJA 2027 historic
AFCON PAMOJA 2027 is the first-ever Africa Cup of Nations to be co-hosted by three countries — Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. "PAMOJA" is Swahili for together, and the name says everything about what this tournament represents.
The three co-hosts provide a combined reach of over 400 million people across the East African region — a staggering audience and a powerful statement about where African football is headed.
It also marks the return of AFCON to East Africa for the first time since 1976, when Ethiopia hosted the tournament. Nearly five decades on, the region is back on the continental stage — and this time on a scale Ethiopia could never have imagined.
The road to PAMOJA: how qualification works
With the Preliminary Round already completed, the journey to Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda continues with the Qualifier Draw on 19 May 2026.
A total of 48 teams — including the three co-hosts — will participate in the qualifiers. They'll be drawn into 12 groups of four teams each. The top two from every group qualify for the Final Tournament, meaning 24 nations will ultimately compete at PAMOJA 2027.
Qualifier matchday windows
| Matchdays | Window |
|---|---|
| 1 & 2 | 21 September – 6 October 2026 |
| 3 & 4 | 9 – 17 November 2026 |
| 5 & 6 | 22 – 30 March 2027 |
Building on recent success
PAMOJA 2027 arrives on the back of back-to-back record-breaking editions. AFCON Côte d'Ivoire 2023 and AFCON Morocco 2025 both delivered record commercial revenues, sponsorship growth, and global broadcast audiences — reflecting just how far African football has risen in global popularity.
East Africa is inheriting a tournament at the height of its power.
What this means for fans
If you're thinking about attending AFCON PAMOJA 2027, the qualifier draw on 19 May is the moment to start paying close attention. Once the 12 groups are known, you'll be able to track your nation's path to the tournament — and start planning your trip.
Prices for flights, hotels and travel packages tend to rise sharply once qualification is confirmed. The smart move is to start exploring your options now, before the crowds catch on.
At Cantravu, we're already building East Africa travel packages specifically for AFCON PAMOJA 2027. Explore what we have available — and if you have questions, reach us at info@cantravu.com.
Source: CAF official announcement, 02 May 2026.
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