“AFCON 2027 will be staged here” – Motsepe reassures East Africa

Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe has reassured that the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will go ahead in East Africa as planned, dismissing suggestions the tournament could be moved or postponed.

Speaking in Tanzania on Friday, Motsepe said the competition would remain with co-hosts Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, despite speculation over preparations and scheduling.

“I know AFCON will be staged here, so I don’t want to hear that question again of whether AFCON will be played in East Africa or it will be taken away,” Motsepe said before beginning his press briefing.

Commitment to schedule

Motsepe ruled out any shift to 2028 and stressed CAF’s commitment to delivering the tournament on time.

“We have done a lot to have AFCON held in East Africa, and our commitment remains to have AFCON in East Africa,” he said.

“We understand there may be several challenges, but it is important that we trust each other and support each other as Africans, because it is possible.

“I am enormously confident we will succeed in hosting 2027 AFCON in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.”

He added that reports about the tournament’s status should not distract from ongoing preparations. “Let us leave that behind us, and stay focused because we know AFCON will be held here.”

Elections not a concern

Questions have also centred on Kenya’s general elections scheduled for 2027. Motsepe dismissed concerns about any clash with the tournament calendar.

“I don’t think so. We will have our tournament before the elections. I know that is how the schedule is, and we don’t have to worry,” he said.

Motsepe had previously defended the hosting arrangement during the 2025 edition in Morocco, stating: “I believe 2027 AFCON will be successful for Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and we will not deprive them of the opportunity to host.”

The 2027 competition will be the first AFCON jointly staged by three countries and the first in the CECAFA region since Ethiopia hosted in 1976.

It will also mark the final edition before the tournament shifts format from 2028.