CAF denies reports of alternative hosts for 2027 AFCON

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has dismissed reports that Morocco, Algeria or South Africa could replace Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya as hosts of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

A senior CAF official said the continental governing body had not contacted any of the three countries about potentially staging the tournament, insisting that no discussions had taken place over alternative hosting arrangements.

“Nothing of this sort has been discussed,” the official said.

The comments come amid reports suggesting that CAF could be considering alternative venues for the 2027 tournament because of concerns surrounding preparations in East Africa.

However, the CAF official said there had been no such discussions and stressed that the organisation’s position on the tournament remains unchanged.

Pamoja project remains in place

CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe has consistently maintained that the 2027 AFCON will be staged across Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya under the Pamoja project.

The three East African neighbours were awarded the hosting rights in 2022, marking the first time the three countries will jointly stage the men’s senior Africa Cup of Nations.

The senior CAF official said significant investment had already been made towards preparations for the tournament and that CAF would continue to support the three host nations.

According to the official, the organisation remains committed to ensuring that the tournament goes ahead as planned in East Africa.

The Pamoja project is therefore still the basis on which CAF is working towards the 2027 competition, despite the reports about possible alternative hosts.

CAF questions need for repeated denials

The official was also asked whether CAF would release another formal statement to reject the reports.

In response, the senior figure questioned how long the organisation could continue issuing statements every time similar reports emerged.

The comments suggest that CAF currently sees no need to alter its position or formally respond to every report concerning the hosting of the tournament.

For now, the organisation’s message is straightforward: Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya remain the hosts of AFCON 2027.

The tournament is expected to be a landmark event for East African football, with the three countries working together under the Pamoja project to deliver the continent’s flagship national-team competition.