The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will go ahead in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, with CAF president Patrice Motsepe reaffirming the three East African nations as hosts despite months of speculation over their ability to deliver the tournament on schedule.
Motsepe’s latest confirmation came at the CAF Strategy Conference in Santa Maria, Sal Island, Cabo Verde, where the future of African football is being discussed by the continent’s football leadership.
The statement provides another clear indication that CAF intends to proceed with the original hosting arrangement, rather than move the tournament to another country. that had not always appeared certain.
Questions over the readiness of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda intensified as the tournament approached, particularly around stadium and infrastructure development.
Few weeks ago, reports suggested that the 2027 tournament could be postponed or that the hosting arrangement could be reconsidered, with other countries mentioned as possible alternatives.
CAF, however, repeatedly pushed back against the possibility of taking the tournament away from the three hosts.
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In February, Motsepe dismissed reports that Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda were about to lose the tournament, describing those suggestions as “totally unfounded” and insisting that the 2027 AFCON would be successful in East Africa.
He maintained that position again in September, acknowledging that the hosts still had work to do but expressing confidence that they would meet the necessary deadlines.
Motsepe said CAF was committed to helping the three countries accelerate their preparations.
CAF’s preparations have also continued on the ground. A CAF delegation conducted an eight-day inspection of facilities across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in September, examining stadiums, training venues, hotels, transport and other infrastructure ahead of the tournament, which is scheduled for 19 June to 17 July 2027.
The latest confirmation in Cabo Verde comes against a backdrop of acknowledged challenges, rather than the absence of concerns.
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Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are preparing to stage the first AFCON jointly hosted by the three countries, under the PAMOJA 2027 banner.
CAF and the three host nations have already established an oversight structure to coordinate preparations, including infrastructure, venues, transport, security, medical services and cross-border movement.
The tournament’s return to East Africa is also significant historically. It will be the first AFCON to be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda and the first edition to return to the region in more than five decades.
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