Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania: AFCON 2027 hosts in the qualifiers

Published on September 25, 2026

For the first time in more than five decades, the Africa Cup of Nations is coming back to East Africa. From 19 June to 17 July 2027, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will co-host AFCON 2027, the first edition ever shared by three countries. As hosts, all three have already qualified, but they are still playing in the qualifiers. Here is everything you need to know about the Harambee Stars, the Cranes and the Taifa Stars on the road to their home tournament.

Why do the hosts play in the qualifiers?

Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania are guaranteed a place at AFCON 2027, but they still take part in the qualifying groups. This allows them to play competitive matches against strong opponents, a valuable preparation for their home tournament.

Their presence also changes the rules in their groups. In the three groups that include a host, only one other team qualifies: the best-placed team apart from the host. In the other nine groups, the top two qualify.

AFCON 2027: the host cities

The tournament will be played in seven stadiums across six cities:

Tanzania: Dar es Salaam, Arusha and Zanzibar
Kenya: Nairobi
Uganda: Kampala and Hoima

Kenya: the Harambee Stars

Group: South Africa, Guinea, Eritrea

September fixtures: - Kenya vs Eritrea, Saturday 26 September 2026, Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi (4pm EAT) - Guinea vs Kenya, Thursday 1 October 2026, Conakry

Under Benni McCarthy, Kenya are using the qualifiers to build a new generation. The former South Africa striker has called up several young foreign-based players, including Job Ochieng of Real Sociedad, Amos Wanjala of Valencia and Manzur Okwaro of Stade de Reims, alongside veteran captain Michael Olunga.

Kenya have played at six AFCONs (1972, 1988, 1990, 1992, 2004 and 2019), but have never gone beyond the group stage. Reaching the knockout rounds on home soil is the big dream.

Their group is also one of the most important of the qualifiers: South Africa and Guinea are fighting for the only other ticket, and Kenya's results against them could decide who joins the Harambee Stars at the finals.

Uganda: the Cranes

Group: Tunisia, Libya, Botswana

Runners-up at AFCON 1978, the Cranes have made a strong start to the qualifiers. On Matchday 1, they earned an impressive 1-1 draw away to Tunisia in Radès, with Rogers Mato equalising in the second half after Tunisia had taken an early lead.

That result sends a clear message: Uganda intend to be competitive at their home tournament. It also shakes up the race for the only other ticket in the group, now wide open between Tunisia, Libya and Botswana.

Tanzania: the Taifa Stars

Group: Nigeria, Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau

September fixtures: - Tanzania vs Guinea-Bissau, Friday 25 September 2026, Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Dar es Salaam - Madagascar vs Tanzania, Tuesday 29 September 2026, Meknès (Morocco)

Coached by Miguel Ángel Gamondi, Tanzania have become regular AFCON participants in recent years. Their group is another where the stakes are high for the others: Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau are competing for a single ticket, so every match against the Taifa Stars matters.

What to expect from the hosts

History shows that playing at home can be a huge advantage at the AFCON. With passionate crowds and months of competitive preparation, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will all dream of a memorable run. The qualifiers are the perfect test: they will face some of Africa's strongest teams, including South Africa, Guinea, Tunisia and Nigeria, before the big kick-off in June 2027.

Hosts' results

This section is updated after every matchday.

Kenya: Kenya vs Eritrea: to come
Uganda: Tunisia 1-1 Uganda (Mato)
Tanzania: Tanzania vs Guinea-Bissau: to come

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