The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed that the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will proceed as planned in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe dismissed media reports suggesting that the tournament might be postponed to 2028 due to concerns over the readiness of the three East African host nations.
“We have done a lot to have AFCON held in east Africa, and our commitment remains to have AFCON in east Africa,” Motsepe said after a CAF executive committee meeting.
“I believe we will hold a very successful AFCON among the three countries.
“CAF will work closely with the host nations to ensure every aspect of the tournament—from infrastructure to logistics—meets the highest standards.”
Although specific dates have not yet been announced, CAF has earmarked June and July for the competition. The proposed timeline places the tournament shortly before Kenya’s general elections scheduled for August.
Nicholas Musonye, chair of Kenya’s local organising committee, had earlier floated the idea of shifting the tournament to 2028, citing what he described as a potentially tense political climate surrounding the elections.
He cautioned that “security would not be guaranteed for such a big competition as the Africa Cup of Nations” under such circumstances.
Despite these concerns, CAF leadership reiterated its confidence in the host countries’ ability to deliver a successful tournament.
Motsepe also noted that CAF would continue strengthening referee training and the development of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) officials, emphasising the importance of maintaining credibility and fairness in African football competitions.
Match officiating came under intense scrutiny during the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, particularly in the final involving the host nation and Senegal. The Senegalese team briefly walked off the pitch following a controversial penalty decision before eventually returning to claim the championship.
CAF’s reaffirmation signals its determination to stage the tournament in East Africa as originally awarded, marking a historic moment for the three co-hosting nations.
What you should know
CAF has confirmed that the 2027 AFCON will be hosted jointly by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, dismissing speculation about a possible postponement to 2028.
The tournament is tentatively scheduled for June and July 2027, ahead of Kenya’s general elections. Concerns had been raised about security and preparedness, but CAF President Patrice Motsepe expressed confidence in the hosts’ readiness.
CAF also pledged continued investment in referee and VAR training following controversies at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
