The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, marking the first time the tournament will be held across three countries.
This historic decision was announced by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in September 2023, selecting the East Africa Pamoja Bid over other contenders like Egypt, Senegal, Botswana, and Algeria as revealed CAF in this media release.
It also signifies the return of AFCON to East Africa after a 51-year hiatus, with Ethiopia last hosting in 1976.
A Collaborative Hosting Effort
The tri-nation hosting arrangement aims to showcase East Africa’s unity and commitment to football development.
CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe emphasized that this collaboration would not only promote regional integration but also stimulate infrastructure development and economic growth in the host nations.
Infrastructure Developments
To meet CAF’s requirements, each country is undertaking significant infrastructure projects to help them prepare and host the rest of Africa with the high standards seen in Ivory Coast in the 2023 edition of the competition while Morocco’s hosting of the 2025 AFCON in Morocco is expected to be of high hosating standard.
- Kenya: Construction of the 60,000-capacity Talanta Sports Stadium in Nairobi is underway, alongside renovations of the Moi International Sports Centre and Nyayo National Stadium.
- Tanzania: New stadiums are being built in Arusha and Dodoma, with the existing Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam also set to host matches.
- Uganda: The Hoima National Stadium is under construction, complementing the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala and the Akii Bua Stadium in Lira.
Economic and Social Impact
Hosting AFCON 2027 is expected to have a substantial economic impact, including job creation, tourism growth, and increased international visibility for the host nations.
The tournament will also serve as a catalyst for the development of sports infrastructure and youth engagement in football across East Africa.
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