AFCON 2027 will run from 19 June to 17 July across Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Before attention turns to the finals, the next qualifying window on 9–17 November 2026 gives supporters a much closer reason to follow their national team.
Key takeaways
- Three East African countries share the hosting duties.
- The next two qualifying windows are in November 2026 and March 2027.
- Groups containing a co-host have a different qualification rule.
The next checkpoints
| Stage | Dates |
|---|---|
| Next qualifying window | 9–17 November 2026 |
| Last two qualifying rounds | 22–30 March 2027 |
| Final tournament | 19 June–17 July 2027 |
These windows identify when qualifying rounds are scheduled. They should not be read as the kick-off details of an individual fixture: supporters still need the opponent, venue and local start time for their team’s match.
Why the co-host groups need a closer look
Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda qualify automatically. In groups without a co-host, the first two teams advance. In a co-host’s group, only one additional side earns a finals place alongside the host.
That distinction is easy to miss when scanning a standings table. Second position does not carry the same meaning in every group. Before assessing a team’s qualification prospects, check whether its pool includes one of the three hosts.
For a quick refresher on points and positions, our guide to reading football tables explains the basics. Qualification places must then be interpreted using this tournament’s own rules.
A tournament shared across East Africa
The three-country setting gives fans a broad regional event to follow. It also makes the eventual allocation of matches particularly useful information for anyone thinking about attending: choosing a country is only the first step in planning a trip.
The archive photograph here shows Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi in 2019. It illustrates football in a co-host country; it is not evidence of the venue allocation for either the opening match or the final.
What to watch in November
Start with the group situation before kick-off, then watch how each result changes the next round’s incentives. A draw may preserve a useful advantage for one side while leaving another with more ground to recover. The table gives the result its significance.
Follow our upcoming fixtures for the broader calendar, and CAF’s official notices for confirmed national-team scheduling. The November window is the next chapter; the June opening remains the destination.
Official sources
- CAF: AFCON 2027 opening, final and qualifying calendar
- CAF: qualifying rules and the November and March windows
Information checked on 8 November 2026. Match details remain subject to subsequent organiser announcements.