Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe announced Thursday that the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will take place in June and July, shifting from the traditional January-February window to avoid clashing with European club schedules and maximize global appeal.
The tournament, dubbed Afcon Pamoja, marks East Africa’s debut as joint hosts with Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania collaborating on the event to foster unity and highlight the region’s soccer prowess.
Motsepe, speaking at a press briefing in the Tanzanian port city, said: “We’ll be announcing the exact dates soon.”
Discussions with the trio of nations continue on operational details, including the site for the opening fixture, potentially at Dar es Salaam’s Benjamin Mkapa Stadium. Brushing aside doubts over readiness, Motsepe lauded Uganda’s football federation head Moses Magogo and vowed to surmount hurdles. “I’m proud of Magogo. And let me repeat, there will be information in the media over the next few months that this stadium is not ready, this pitch is not ready, the grass is not ready, there are not enough hotels. We’ll fix those challenges. We’re going to have a celebration,” he declared.
The CAF chief urged focus amid potential negativity, framing the competition as a landmark spectacle: “Afcon Pamoja as a historic opportunity for an unforgettable football festival.”
The move aligns with efforts to elevate African football’s profile, following similar summer timings for recent editions disrupted by pandemics and calendar conflicts.
