CAN 2027: CAF considers winter switch as host preparations fall behind

The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations could be moved from its scheduled summer dates to the Christmas and New Year period because of mounting delays in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

The tournament is currently due to take place across the three “Pamoja” host nations from 19 June to 17 July next year. Publicly, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) continues to insist that the competition will go ahead as planned.

CAF president Patrice Motsepe reaffirmed that position at a strategic conference in Cape Verde last week, saying: “We will go to Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.” He also promised “the most successful CAN”.

Behind the scenes, however, there is growing concern within the organisation about the pace of construction work and the wider preparations, with fewer than 10 months remaining before the tournament begins.

Motsepe acknowledged the seriousness of the situation shortly before the start of the qualifying campaign. He admitted that “there is a situation of great urgency, nine months before the CAN”.

According to Le Monde, CAF has sounded out five countries that could step in to stage the tournament at short notice if the current arrangements cannot be completed. They are Morocco, hosts of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Algeria, Cote d’Ivoire, South Africa and Egypt.

A further possibility has now reportedly emerged within CAF’s senior leadership. The Guardian says officials have discussed postponing the tournament until the Christmas and New Year period, meaning the competition could be played across the end of 2027 and the beginning of 2028.

That type of scheduling has been used before, with the most recent edition staged across December and January.

The state of the venues remains a particular concern. Nairobi’s Talanta Sports Stadium, for example, had still not been completed at the time of writing.

Motsepe is due to make another inspection visit in January 2027. That visit could prove decisive as CAF assesses whether Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania can deliver the event on time.

The organisation’s public message remains that the tournament will be held in the three East African countries next summer. Yet the reported contingency planning, including possible alternative hosts and a move to the festive period, underlines the level of uncertainty surrounding preparations for CAN 2027.