Ruto meets FIFA president Infantino as Kenya steps up AFCON 2027 preparations

Kenyan President William Ruto has met Fifa president Gianni Infantino in New York to discuss football development and preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which Kenya will co-host with Tanzania and Uganda.

The meeting took place on Thursday on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, with Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Hussein Mohammed also part of the discussions.

Kenya is preparing to host the continent’s biggest football tournament alongside its East African neighbours, with the competition scheduled to take place from 19 June to 17 July 2027.

Ruto said the talks with Infantino focused on strengthening Kenya’s partnership with Fifa and developing football at grassroots level.

“We discussed regional technical centres to identify and nurture young talent, strengthen grassroots football and create clear pathways for the next generation of Kenyan players,” Ruto said.

The meeting also examined Kenya’s wider plans to improve football infrastructure and establish the country as a destination for major international sporting events.

Mombasa stadium plans discussed

One of the key issues raised was the possibility of constructing a Fifa-standard stadium in Mombasa.

Hussein Mohammed said the proposed facility would serve Kenya’s coastal region and form part of the country’s ambition to become a hub for international football and sports tourism.

“We also discussed progress on the FIFA Arena project, a modern Technical Centre, and the possibility of a FIFA-standard stadium in Mombasa to serve the Coast region and position Kenya as a hub for international football and sports tourism,” Mohammed said.

The proposal comes as Kenya continues a major programme of stadium construction and renovation ahead of AFCON 2027.

The government has said it plans to construct 32 new stadiums across the country, while several existing facilities are undergoing work to bring them up to international standards.

Kenya is also developing the Talanta Sports International Stadium, while Kasarani Stadium remains part of the country’s preparations for the tournament.

CAF president Patrice Motsepe visited Kenya earlier in September and inspected Talanta Stadium and Kasarani as part of an assessment of the country’s preparations. CAF said Motsepe was impressed by the progress at Talanta but provided feedback on work still required at Kasarani.

FIFA Arena and technical development

The discussions in New York also covered the FIFA Arena project and a proposed modern technical centre.

The projects are intended to support player development, coaching and grassroots football while providing better facilities for young players.

The focus on regional technical centres reflects Kenya’s desire to create a clearer pathway from grassroots football to elite level, particularly by identifying young players outside the traditional football centres.

Ruto said the government’s investment in sports infrastructure was part of a broader ambition to position Kenya as a leading sporting nation.

For Fifa, football development projects such as technical centres and grassroots facilities form part of its wider development agenda, while Kenya is seeking to use the partnership to strengthen its football ecosystem.

AFCON 2027 preparations

The meeting comes as the countdown to AFCON 2027 gathers pace.

Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda were selected as co-hosts of the tournament, which will mark the return of the Africa Cup of Nations to East Africa for the first time in more than 50 years.

The three hosts have automatically qualified for the finals, although they are participating in the qualifying campaign.

Kenya are in Group D alongside South Africa, Guinea and Eritrea and were scheduled to open their qualifying campaign against Eritrea on 26 September.

For Kenya, preparations extend beyond the national team.

CAF requirements cover stadiums, training facilities, accommodation, transport and other logistical infrastructure, placing pressure on the country to complete major projects well before the tournament begins.

Ruto’s meeting with Infantino therefore provided an opportunity for Kenya’s government and football authorities to update Fifa’s leadership on the progress being made.

Football and sports tourism

Kenya also sees AFCON 2027 as an opportunity to strengthen its position as a sports tourism destination.

The proposed Mombasa stadium would add a major football venue on the coast, potentially expanding the geographical footprint of international football in the country.

Mohammed said the discussions with Infantino included Kenya’s ambition to position itself as an international football hub.

That ambition comes as the government combines investment in stadium infrastructure with projects aimed at improving football development and attracting international sporting events.

The New York meeting was the latest high-level engagement between Kenya and international football authorities.

It followed Motsepe’s visit to Kenya earlier this month, when the CAF president met Ruto and reviewed preparations for the 2027 tournament.

With less than a year remaining before AFCON 2027, attention will now turn to the delivery of the infrastructure and football-development projects discussed by Ruto and Infantino.