“2027” was threatened... CAF is studying alternatives

A state of uncertainty hangs over the future of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations finals, which are scheduled to be organized jointly by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, about 13 months before their start date, in light of worrying indicators regarding the readiness of the infrastructure.

According to data reported by the French newspaper Le Monde, based on an inspection report by the African Confederation of Football, the pace of work in the three countries does not meet the level of the obligations specified in the schedule, whether at the level of stadiums or reception facilities, which threatens adherence to time deadlines.

Uganda's situation is considered the most worrying, as no stadium currently meets the fourth category standards approved by the CAF, which raises serious questions about its ability to host matches of the size of the African Cup of Nations, after Morocco, by hosting the last edition, raised the ceiling of expectations in all organizational and logistical aspects.

As for Kenya, despite its commitments to prepare five stadiums, three of which are in Nairobi and two in Kakamega and Eldoret, it received an official warning due to the recorded delay, especially in the “Talanta” stadium, which was expected to be delivered at the end of 2025, before the date was postponed to mid-2026, while Tanzania appears to be in a relatively better situation, as the works are proceeding according to the established program, while respecting the technical conditions imposed by the “CAF”.

According to the same source, talk has begun behind the scenes of the continental body about an alternative option in the event that the work continues to falter, as both Rwanda and South Africa are closely following developments, preparing to nominate themselves to host the next edition in the event that the organization is withdrawn from the current trio.

It is noteworthy that “CAF” had assigned the honor of organizing this edition, on April 7, 2023, to the three countries jointly, in a precedent in the history of the competition, after it had previously cooperated in organizing the African Championship for Local Players 2025.

It is worth noting that the last edition hosted by Morocco constituted a milestone at the organizational and economic levels, with record numbers in terms of revenues, follow-up rates, and public attendance, which raises the level of challenges facing any country nominated to host the next editions of the continental competition.