CAF raises fresh doubts over 2027 AFCON hosts

The Confederation of African Football has reportedly begun exploring contingency plans for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations amid concerns over Kenya and Uganda’s readiness to host the tournament alongside Tanzania.

The three East African countries are scheduled to co-host the 36th edition of the competition from June 19 to July 17, 2027, but concerns over stadium construction, accommodation and other logistical requirements have reportedly prompted CAF to consider alternative options.

According to French publication Le Monde, CAF has contacted Morocco, South Africa and Algeria as possible standby hosts should the East African countries fail to meet the required deadlines. Ivory Coast and Egypt have also reportedly emerged as potential alternatives.

However, CAF president Patrice Motsepe has publicly maintained that there is no change to the hosting arrangement, despite acknowledging that significant work remains to be done.

Speaking to journalists after an inspection tour of the three host countries, Motsepe said CAF was not considering “either a Plan B or a Plan C.”

CAF has previously moved the Africa Cup of Nations to alternative countries when host preparations fell behind schedule. The 2013 tournament was moved from Libya to South Africa, while the 2015 edition was switched from Morocco to Equatorial Guinea.

The 2017 tournament was moved from Libya to Gabon, while Cameroon lost the 2019 hosting rights to Egypt after delays to its preparations. Guinea was also replaced by Morocco as host of the 2025 edition.

The 2027 AFCON would mark the tournament’s return to the CECAFA region for the first time since Ethiopia hosted the competition in 1976.

With less than a year before the scheduled kick-off, the next round of CAF inspections will be crucial in determining whether the three East African hosts remain on course to stage the tournament.