CAF president Patrice Motsepe backs Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda to host Africa Cup of Nations 2027

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reaffirmed that Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, despite continuing concerns over construction delays and infrastructure readiness.

CAF president Patrice Motsepe said the tournament would remain in East Africa and predicted that it would be the most successful edition in the competition’s history.

“We will go to Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, and we will have the most successful Africa Cup of Nations,” Motsepe said, according to the Agence France-Presse (AFP).

He was speaking in Cape Verde on Thursday during a CAF strategic meeting attended by FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

The statement was the latest attempt to end speculation that the tournament could be moved from the three host nations. Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda were selected jointly in 2023 under the name “Pamoja”, which means “together” in Swahili.

Motsepe also said he had seen a “deep commitment” from the countries’ leaders. He referred in particular to discussions with Kenyan president William Ruto and Tanzanian president Samia Suluhu Hassan.

The tournament is scheduled to take place from 19 June to 18 July 2027, with 24 national teams expected to compete. It will be the first edition of the Africa Cup of Nations to be co-hosted by three countries.

Infrastructure concerns remain

Motsepe’s comments come as CAF continues to monitor preparations closely.

Reports in recent months have raised concerns about the progress of construction and renovation projects, the compliance of stadiums with required standards and the logistical demands of staging matches across three countries.

A CAF delegation visited Tanzania at the beginning of September to inspect infrastructure, following an earlier visit to Kenya. The Talanta Sports Stadium project in Nairobi is among those being closely monitored.

The condition of the stadium and construction work has contributed to repeated rumours that the tournament could be relocated. Morocco has occasionally been mentioned as a possible alternative host, but CAF has not announced or confirmed any change. The governing body also rejected the possibility in July.

Motsepe’s latest remarks therefore underline CAF’s intention to keep the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations in East Africa.

The three host nations must now turn the confidence expressed by CAF into tangible progress. While the organisation remains firm on the choice of hosts, meeting deadlines and completing the required infrastructure are still the main challenges facing Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.