Ruto assures CAF chief Motsepe of Kenya’s commitment to AFCON 2027

Kenyan President William Ruto has pledged his government’s commitment to delivering a successful 2027 Africa Cup of Nations after meeting Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe in Nairobi.

The meeting brought together senior officials from CAF, the Kenyan government, the country’s football leadership and the Local Organising Committee responsible for staging the tournament.

Kenya is set to co-host the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations alongside neighbours Uganda and Tanzania, marking the first time the three East African nations will stage the continent’s biggest football tournament together.

Ruto thanked Motsepe for what he described as the CAF president’s continued support and commitment to African football, while assuring him that Kenya remained fully committed to ensuring the tournament’s success.

The discussions included Kenya’s Sports Minister Salim Mvurya, Football Kenya Federation president Hussein Mohammed and members of the AFCON 2027 Local Organising Committee, as preparations for the tournament continue to gather pace.

The meeting forms part of CAF’s ongoing engagement with host nations as it monitors infrastructure projects, organisational planning and broader readiness ahead of the finals.

For Kenya, the tournament represents a major opportunity to showcase its sporting infrastructure and strengthen football’s profile in the country.

The East African co-hosts have accelerated preparations in recent months, with governments investing in stadium upgrades, training facilities and transport infrastructure required to meet CAF’s hosting standards.

Motsepe has repeatedly stressed that AFCON 2027 should leave a lasting legacy for football development across the region, extending beyond the tournament itself through improved facilities and greater opportunities for young players.

Kenya last hosted a major CAF tournament when it staged the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in 2018, while AFCON 2027 will be the country’s first time hosting the senior continental championship.

The tournament is expected to attract thousands of supporters from across Africa and beyond, providing a significant economic boost to the three host nations through tourism, hospitality and related industries.