African football finally has a roadmap. CAF has published its full 2026-27 competition calendar, locking in dates and host nations across senior, youth, and club competitions — the kind of structural clarity the confederation has long needed to deliver.
The headline event is AFCON 2027, co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, running from June 19 to July 17. Qualifying kicks off in September 2026, meaning there's no vague limbo this time around — clubs and national teams can plan accordingly from now. That's not nothing. Fixture congestion and late schedule changes have cost African players and clubs credibility with European employers for years. A stable window helps.
Sundowns vs USM Alger kicks things off
Before AFCON qualifying even begins, there's a Super Cup worth watching. On November 8, 2026, CAF Champions League winners Mamelodi Sundowns face CAF Confederation Cup holders USM Alger in Tshwane, South Africa. Kickoff is 3pm local time (1pm GMT).
It's a genuinely interesting match-up — one of African club football's dominant forces against an Algerian side that's been building serious continental momentum. Sundowns at home soil will make them strong favourites in pre-match markets, but USM Alger won't travel to South Africa just to make up the numbers.
Youth football gets a full slate
The youth calendar is where this announcement gets quietly significant. Ghana hosts the U-20 AFCON in February and March 2027. Morocco takes the U-17 tournament in April and May. And Egypt hosts the U-23 AFCON — which doubles as the African qualifier for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, giving that competition real weight beyond the continental stage.
CAF is also exploring a U-17 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, with a potential launch next year if the organisational groundwork holds. A dedicated competitive pathway for young African women at that age group would be a meaningful structural addition — the gap between grassroots and senior women's football on the continent is still wide.
On the club side, the preliminary round draws for the 2026-27 Champions League and Confederation Cup are done. First legs run September 4-6, returns September 11-13. Morocco also hosts the Futsal Africa Cup of Nations from October 12-21, with Senegal taking Beach Soccer duties in November.
- AFCON 2027: Kenya, Tanzania & Uganda — June 19 to July 17, 2027
- CAF Super Cup: Tshwane, South Africa — November 8, 2026 (Sundowns vs USM Alger)
- U-20 AFCON: Ghana — February/March 2027
- U-17 AFCON: Morocco — April/May 2027
- U-23 AFCON (Olympic qualifier): Egypt — date TBC
- Futsal AFCON: Morocco — October 12-21, 2026
- Beach Soccer AFCON: Senegal — November 2026
CAF's African Nations League is also progressing, with the format reviewed by the Executive Committee. No launch date yet, but it's moving from concept toward something concrete.
For a confederation that has historically struggled with last-minute reshuffles and hosting uncertainty, publishing this calendar now — with specific dates, confirmed venues, and structured qualifying timelines — is a step that broadcasters, sponsors, and qualifying nations will all notice.
