π« Your Ticket = Your Visa β Key Facts
- Arrangement: Match ticket + Fan ID = Visa/entry into host nations
- Confirmed today: CAF President Motsepe (17 September 2026)
- Confirmed by LOC: Tony Lung’aho, PAMOJA AFCON 2027 LOC CEO
- Uganda: Already officially announced
- Tanzania: Under discussion, formal announcement pending
- Kenya: Under discussion, formal announcement pending
- Coverage period: Up to 4 months (potentially May-August 2027)
- Expected 500,000+ international fans
Summary: Fans attending TotalEnergies CAF AFCON PAMOJA 2027 will be able to use their match ticket combined with their Fan ID as their entry visa into Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda β the three co-host nations. The arrangement was confirmed on Thursday 17 September 2026 by CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe during his official visit to Tanzania, and had been previously announced by PAMOJA AFCON 2027 Local Organising Committee (LOC) Chief Executive Tony Lung’aho earlier this month. Uganda has already formally announced its ticket-as-visa policy. Tanzania and Kenya are expected to follow with formal announcements in coming months. This article covers exactly how the arrangement will work, what fans need to know, and how to prepare.
The single most important travel innovation for AFCON 2027 fans has now been confirmed at the highest level. On Thursday 17 September 2026, during his official visit to Tanzania, CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe reiterated that a joint visa arrangement is coming for AFCON 2027 β and it will use match tickets and Fan IDs as the entry mechanism. This article breaks down what has been confirmed, what to expect, and how to prepare.
What CAF and the LOC Have Confirmed
ποΈ Motsepe β Thursday 17 September 2026
“I am confident that there will be a joint visa arrangement.”
β Dr Patrice Motsepe, CAF President, 17 September 2026 Tanzania visit
ποΈ Tony Lung’aho, PAMOJA LOC CEO β 15 September 2026
“We want to welcome the world to Africa, and the Pamoja visa is at the forefront of this because people will be able to travel without any restrictions.”
β Tony Lung’aho, PAMOJA AFCON 2027 LOC Chief Executive, Africa Sports Biz forum Rwanda
Lung’aho was explicit that “football fans attending PAMOJA AFCON 2027 will be able to travel between Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania using a single visa.”
How the Ticket-as-Visa Arrangement Works
Based on official announcements and the AFCON 2025 Morocco YALLA app model, here is how the arrangement is expected to operate:
Step 1 β Get Your Fan ID
The AFCON 2027 Fan ID will be a mandatory registration requirement for purchasing tickets. Fans register once (with passport details, photo, and verification) and receive a unique Fan ID. This is your identity throughout the tournament.
Step 2 β Buy Your Match Ticket
Once ticket sales open (expected February-April 2027 based on AFCON 2025 patterns), buy your ticket linked to your Fan ID. The ticket is personalised and non-transferable.
Step 3 β Your Ticket + Fan ID = Your Visa
With a valid match ticket linked to your Fan ID, you will be eligible for either:
- Visa waiver β no visa fee, standard entry
- Visa on arrival β expedited processing at the border/airport
- Multi-country access β travel freely between Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda
Step 4 β Cross-Border Travel
Once inside East Africa, the PAMOJA visa arrangement means your ticket-linked entry covers all three host nations. Follow your team across borders without applying for new visas.
Uganda: Already Confirmed β The Model for What’s Coming
Uganda is the first of the three host nations to formally announce its ticket-as-visa arrangement. The Ugandan Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control has confirmed:
- Ticket-holding fans from participating nations are eligible for a special AFCON Event Visa
- Fans with a valid match ticket and Fan ID receive visa-on-arrival or a waived fee
- Waiver period runs approximately 1 June 2027 to 31 July 2027
- System uses East Africa Tourist Visa infrastructure
- Uganda expects 500,000+ international fans β driving expansion of the e-visa system and biometric processing at Entebbe International Airport
Tanzania: Formal Announcement Pending
Tanzania has not yet made a formal ticket-as-visa announcement, but Motsepe’s Thursday visit and confirmation of ongoing discussions with the Tanzanian government strongly signal a similar arrangement is coming. Based on the Uganda model, Tanzania is expected to:
- Waive or discount visa fees for ticket-holding fans
- Provide visa-on-arrival at Julius Nyerere International Airport (Dar es Salaam) and Kilimanjaro International Airport
- Cover both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar in the arrangement
- Integrate with the dedicated AFCON 2027 tournament app when it launches
Currently, Tanzania standard tourism visas cost $50 USD (single entry) or $100 USD (multiple entry). Under the PAMOJA arrangement, these fees are expected to be waived or reduced for ticket holders.
Kenya: Formal Announcement Pending
Kenya currently operates an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) system for most international visitors, costing $30 USD. Most African nationals are exempt from the eTA following a May 2025 policy update. For AFCON 2027, Kenya is expected to:
- Modify or waive the eTA fee for ticket-holding fans
- Integrate with the joint PAMOJA visa system
- Provide seamless entry from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Nairobi)
- Coordinate with Tanzania and Uganda on cross-border movement
How Long Will the Joint Visa Be Valid?
According to reports covered by Pan Africa Football in July 2026, the proposed PAMOJA visa “could remain valid for up to four months.” This would cover:
- Pre-tournament arrivals (from approximately May 2027)
- The full tournament window (19 June to 17 July 2027)
- Post-tournament travel and tourism (through approximately August 2027)
This four-month validity would be significantly longer than a standard tourist visa β designed specifically to encourage fans to extend their AFCON trip with East African tourism.
The YALLA App Precedent β What to Expect for AFCON 2027
For AFCON 2025 in Morocco, CAF launched the YALLA app β a dedicated tournament platform combining:
- Fan ID registration
- Match ticket purchase and storage
- E-visa application
- Match information and updates
- Fan zone details
CAF is expected to launch a similar dedicated app for AFCON 2027 β potentially branded as PAMOJA or another name. The app will likely be the primary platform where ticket-as-visa integration happens:
- Register your Fan ID in the app
- Buy your ticket in the app
- Apply for your PAMOJA visa in the app (linked to your ticket)
- Present the app at border entry
Warning: Do NOT download any unofficial app claiming to be the AFCON 2027 app. There will be fake apps. Only download from the official CAF announcement via cafonline.com.
What Fans Should Do NOW
1. Register at tickets.cafonline.com
This is the confirmed CAF ticketing platform. Register your account now to be first notified when tickets open.
2. Ensure Your Passport is Valid
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of arrival in East Africa. If your passport expires before December 2027, renew it now β East African immigration will not admit you otherwise.
3. Get Yellow Fever Vaccination if Required
Tanzania requires proof of yellow fever vaccination for visitors arriving from endemic countries. Kenya and Uganda may also require it. Vaccinate at least 10 days before travel as certificates are not valid immediately.
4. Get a VISA Card
VISA is CAF’s confirmed payment partner. For AFCON 2025, VISA cardholders got exclusive 48-hour presale access. Expect the same for AFCON 2027. If you don’t have a VISA card, get one before ticket sales open.
5. Follow Official Channels for Announcements
- @CAF_Online on Twitter/X
- tickets.cafonline.com email notifications
- Our AFCON 2027 tickets guide β updated immediately when CAF confirms
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my AFCON 2027 ticket be used as my visa?
Based on confirmations from CAF President Motsepe (17 September 2026), PAMOJA LOC CEO Tony Lung’aho (15 September 2026), and Uganda’s Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control, yes β your match ticket combined with your Fan ID is expected to grant you entry (either as a visa waiver or visa on arrival) into the AFCON 2027 host nations. Tanzania and Kenya formal announcements are pending.
Will one visa cover Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda?
Yes β the PAMOJA visa is designed to allow fans to travel between all three co-host nations without needing separate visas for each country. CAF President Motsepe confirmed this on 17 September 2026.
How long will the PAMOJA visa be valid?
Reports suggest up to 4 months validity, covering approximately May 2027 to August 2027 β the pre-tournament period, the full tournament (19 June to 17 July 2027), and post-tournament tourism time.
Do I still need a passport?
Yes β a valid passport with at least 6 months validity after your planned departure from East Africa. The ticket-as-visa arrangement covers the visa/entry permit, not passport requirements.
Do I still need vaccinations?
Yes β the ticket-as-visa arrangement covers immigration but not health requirements. Tanzania requires yellow fever vaccination from visitors arriving from endemic countries. Kenya and Uganda may also require it.
What if I don’t have a match ticket?
You will still need standard visas for each country you visit β Tanzania e-visa ($50 USD), Kenya eTA ($30 USD, waived for most African nationals), and Uganda e-visa ($50 USD). The PAMOJA visa waiver applies only to fans with confirmed match tickets and Fan IDs.
Can I buy the ticket for the visa arrangement without going to the match?
Based on the AFCON 2025 model, each Fan ID allows purchase of ONE ticket per match β and tickets are personalised, non-transferable, and require face verification at stadium entry. Buying a ticket purely for visa purposes without attending would likely fail at the stadium gate and could invalidate the ticket-as-visa arrangement.
When will Tanzania and Kenya formally announce their ticket-as-visa policy?
Both are expected to make formal announcements in coming months, likely coordinated with the launch of the dedicated AFCON 2027 tournament app (equivalent of AFCON 2025’s YALLA app). Watch official CAF channels and our tickets guide for confirmed timing.
For our comprehensive AFCON 2027 tickets guide see our AFCON 2027 tickets page. For the step-by-step ticket buying process see our How to Buy AFCON 2027 Tickets guide. For visa details specific to Tanzania see our Tanzania eVisa guide. For our Motsepe Tanzania visit coverage see our Motsepe visit article. For the countdown to qualifying see our AFCON 2027 countdown.
Article based on Motsepe statement reported by Africa Soccer on 17 September 2026, Tony Lung’aho statement reported by Africa Soccer on 15 September 2026 (Africa Sports Biz forum, Rwanda), Uganda Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control announcement (VisaVerge), Pan Africa Football reporting (July 2026), and the confirmed AFCON 2025 YALLA app precedent. Article will be updated as Tanzania and Kenya make their formal ticket-as-visa announcements.