‎AFCON 2027 on track as CAF dismisses relocation claims

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‎The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will go ahead in East Africa as planned, Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe has confirmed, brushing off speculation that the tournament could be postponed or moved.
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‎Speaking after a CAF Executive Committee meeting in Dar es Salaam on Friday, Motsepe described reports suggesting a possible shift to 2028 or a change of host nations as “totally unfounded.”
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‎The tournament, jointly awarded to Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania under the historic “Pamoja Bid,” is scheduled to run from June 19 to July 18, 2027. It will be staged across 10 host cities and 12 venues, marking the first time the three East African neighbours co-host the continental showpiece.
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‎Motsepe reiterated his confidence in the region’s readiness, insisting the competition would be “enormously successful.” He dismissed claims that his visit to East Africa was linked to stripping the countries of hosting rights, saying such narratives misrepresented CAF’s position.
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‎CAF technical teams are currently conducting infrastructure inspections across the three nations, with assessments expected to continue through mid-February. Key venues earmarked for the tournament include Talanta Sports Stadium, Kasarani and Nyayo in Nairobi, Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, and Mandela National Stadium in Kampala.
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‎While acknowledging that preparations of this scale inevitably come with hurdles, Motsepe maintained that challenges would not derail the event. Drawing parallels with previous tournaments that faced early doubts but went on to succeed, he expressed belief in Africa’s capacity to deliver a world-class competition.
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‎Reports indicate that Tanzania and Uganda have each deposited $30 million towards their hosting commitments, with Kenya’s contribution expected to follow.
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‎Beyond 2027, CAF is planning structural adjustments to its competitions calendar. Motsepe revealed that after the 2028 edition, AFCON will transition to a four-year cycle. In addition, an African Nations League is set to be introduced in 2029 as part of efforts to expand competitive opportunities on the continent.