CAF Confirms 2027 AFCON to Be Held in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda

Patrice Motsepe, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), has dismissed reports suggesting a possible postponement of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), affirming that the tournament will proceed as scheduled without any delay.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday following a CAF Executive Committee meeting, Motsepe confirmed that the 36th edition of the continental showpiece will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from June 19 to July 18, 2027.

“There is no reason to postpone the tournament,” Motsepe said. “We are all working together to ensure a successful Africa Cup of Nations in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.”

His remarks came in response to recent media reports, most notably by The Guardian, which suggested the tournament could be delayed until 2028 due to concerns over the preparedness of the three host nations.

The British newspaper cited multiple sources pointing to significant worries over funding, delays in infrastructure projects, stadium construction, and overall readiness to meet CAF’s hosting standards ahead of the competition. 

The reports indicated that these issues had raised fresh challenges for the continental governing body.

According to the same reports, CAF’s Executive Committee was expected to examine these developments during its meeting in Dar es Salaam, amid mounting pressure to take a decisive stance on the fate of the 2027 edition and to finalize the calendar for upcoming tournaments.

Last December, Motsepe announced a major reform to the AFCON schedule, confirming that the tournament would shift to a four-year cycle starting in 2028 instead of being held every two years. 

Under that framework, the 2027 edition was fixed for East Africa, while the 2029 tournament would be moved forward to 2028 to align with the new system.

However, speculation had emerged that logistical setbacks in the host countries might prompt CAF to immediately implement the new cycle by postponing the 2027 tournament and restructuring subsequent editions.

Motsepe’s latest comments appear to put those concerns to rest, reaffirming CAF’s commitment to delivering a successful and timely Africa Cup of Nations in East Africa in 2027.