A combined East African application dubbed the Pamoja Bid has won the hosting rights of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations finals.
This was announced by continental football body, Caf, president Patrice Motsepe after an executive meeting in Cairo on Wednesday.
Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania submitted a joint bid which will reduce on the pressure of one country shouldering the responsibility alone.
The East Africans strength in numbers and unity beat competition from 2019 Afcon hosts Egypt, Botswana, late entries Senegal and Algeria, who pulled out a day earlier.
Morocco also won the hosting rights for the 2025 Afcon edition after Nigeria and Algeria, who were in the running for both editions, pulled out.
Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania’s selection means the three countries have automatically qualified for Afcon 2027.
This will also be the first time nations from the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (Cecafa) will stage the tournament since Ethiopia in 1976.
“The three nations came together because our standards and requirements are very high,” said Motsepe after confirming the decision.
“Sometimes it requires hundreds of millions – sometimes billions – in infrastructure. It makes me proud when football brings countries together. Afcon 2027 is going to be a huge success.”
The next Afcon tournament will take place in Ivory Coast from 13 January until 11 February 2024.
The draw for the above will take place in Abidjan on 12 October.