The Confederation of African Football (CAF), in coordination with Egypt, the host nation of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), selected six stadiums to stage matches for the tournament, which marked a historic milestone by expanding to 24 participating teams for the first time. These venues are spread across five Egyptian cities: Port Said, Alexandria, Ismailia, Suez, and the capital, Cairo. This geographical distribution was designed to ensure smooth organization while allowing fans across the country to experience Africa’s premier international football competition.
Among the selected venues, the Port Said Stadium holds a particularly sensitive place in Egyptian football history. It was the scene of tragic violence following a league match between Al-Masry and Al-Ahly in 2012, an incident that claimed the lives of more than 70 people and left a lasting scar on the nation’s sporting landscape. After years of closure and extensive renovation work aimed at improving safety and infrastructure, football activities resumed at the stadium last year, symbolizing a gradual return to normalcy.
However, despite its initial inclusion on the AFCON 2019 venue list, the Port Said Stadium may ultimately be removed. According to reports from sport.le360.ma, the renovation work at the stadium is facing delays and may not be completed in time for the start of the tournament. This concern was publicly raised by Ahmed Shobeir, a member of the Egyptian Football Association, who explained that the venue is unlikely to be fully ready by June, when the competition is scheduled to kick off.
This potential withdrawal represents a significant organizational challenge for both CAF and the Egyptian authorities. With the expansion of the tournament to 24 teams, the competition format has also evolved. For the first time in AFCON history, the participating nations will be divided into six groups of four teams. This new structure requires a precise allocation of venues and match schedules, leaving little room for last-minute changes. Losing one of the originally selected stadiums would force organizers to identify and prepare an alternative venue within a limited timeframe, while still meeting CAF’s strict requirements in terms of safety, capacity, and facilities.
The uncertainty surrounding Port Said adds to the pressure already facing Egypt, which was awarded hosting rights under unusual circumstances. CAF officially named Egypt as the host of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations on January 8, 2019, after Cameroon was stripped of the tournament due to delays in its preparations. Egypt’s experience in hosting major international competitions and its existing infrastructure played a key role in CAF’s decision, but the tight timeline has left little margin for error.
As the tournament dates of June 21 to July 19 approach, CAF and the Egyptian organizers must act swiftly to ensure all venues are fully operational. Whether Port Said ultimately remains on the list or is replaced, the priority remains clear: delivering a safe, well-organized, and memorable Africa Cup of Nations that lives up to the expectations of players, fans, and the entire continent.
