The AFCON 2027 hosts situation has taken another turn after reports emerged that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is exploring alternative options amid concerns over preparations in Kenya and Uganda.
Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania are scheduled to jointly host the Africa Cup of Nations from June 19 to July 17, 2027, in what would be the first time three countries have staged the tournament together.
However, delays to stadium and wider infrastructure projects have raised fresh questions over whether the AFCON 2027 hosts will be ready.
CAF Considers Alternative AFCON 2027 Hosts
According to reports from Le Monde, CAF has already made contact with countries that could potentially step in if the East African nations cannot meet the required standards.
Morocco, Algeria and South Africa are among the African countries reportedly approached, while Egypt and Ivory Coast have also been identified as possible alternatives. These nations have experience of hosting major international tournaments and have stadium infrastructure that could potentially allow them to stage a 24-team AFCON at short notice.
“There are five nations in Africa capable of stepping up to such a challenge, largely because they have enough approved stadiums: South Africa, Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, and Ivory Coast,” Said Ali Said Athouman, president of the Comoros Football Federation, told Le Monde.
The reports do not mean that CAF has decided to remove the tournament from East Africa. Instead, the governing body appears to be preparing for different possibilities while monitoring the progress of the current AFCON 2027 hosts.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe has publicly insisted that there is no alternative plan at this stage, despite acknowledging the urgency surrounding preparations.
“We are considering neither a Plan B nor a Plan C,” Motsepe said, according to Pulse Sports. He also admitted that the organisers are facing “a situation of great urgency.”
Why Are the AFCON 2027 Hosts Under Pressure?
The main concern is the progress of the stadiums and supporting infrastructure required for the tournament.
In Kenya, work is continuing on the 60,000-capacity Talanta Sports City Stadium in Nairobi, while the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, is also undergoing renovations. Recent reports have highlighted delays involving areas such as interior work and surrounding infrastructure.
Uganda faces similar concerns. Mandela National Stadium, commonly known as Namboole, has been undergoing upgrades, while the proposed venue in Hoima also requires improvements to facilities and transport infrastructure.
Tanzania appears to be in a stronger position, with the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium already operational. However, further work is still required at other proposed venues as the country prepares to play its part in the three-nation tournament.
The situation has been closely monitored by CAF throughout 2026. A CAF delegation completed an eight-day inspection of facilities across the three countries in September, assessing stadiums, training venues, hotels, transport and other tournament requirements.
The governing body has also continued to publicly back the current AFCON 2027 hosts.
Following his September visit to Kenya, Motsepe met President William Ruto and inspected both Talanta Stadium and Kasarani. CAF said the president was impressed by progress at Talanta while also providing feedback on the work still required at Kasarani.
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What Happens Next for the AFCON 2027 Hosts?
CAF is expected to continue monitoring preparations before making any major decision on the tournament’s location.
A further inspection is scheduled for January 2027, giving Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania another opportunity to demonstrate that they can deliver the required infrastructure before the tournament begins.
For the AFCON 2027 hosts, the next few months will therefore be crucial. The three countries still have time to accelerate their preparations, but the growing attention from CAF and reports of alternative hosts show that the pressure is increasing.
The tournament remains officially scheduled for East Africa, and CAF’s public position has not changed.
Extra Time Notes
There is still a long way to go before anyone can say that the AFCON 2027 hosts will lose the tournament.
Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania have been given a historic opportunity to bring Africa’s biggest international football tournament to East Africa, and CAF continues to publicly support the project.
At the same time, the infrastructure concerns cannot simply be ignored.
The January inspection could become particularly important. If major progress is made before then, the current AFCON 2027 hosts can strengthen their position. If the same concerns remain, CAF may have to seriously consider whether another country can provide the required facilities.
For now, East Africa remains the official destination for AFCON 2027. The bigger question is whether the AFCON 2027 hosts can turn the current concerns into completed projects before CAF runs out of patience.
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