CAF Rules Out AFCON 2027 Postponement as Kenya Races to Complete Venues

CAF President Patrice Motsepe has ruled out moving the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) away from its planned East African hosts, despite continuing concerns over infrastructure and venue readiness. Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are scheduled to jointly host the tournament from June 19 to July 17, 2027. CAF recently conducted inspections of stadiums, training facilities, hotels, transport infrastructure and other tournament facilities across the three countries. Following his latest inspection, Motsepe acknowledged that some areas still require faster progress but said CAF remains committed to working with the three host nations to meet the necessary deadlines. He has also rejected suggestions that CAF is preparing an alternative hosting arrangement. A report quoting Motsepe said there is “no Plan B” for the tournament. Kenya's preparations Kenya is under particular pressure to complete major stadium projects and renovations. Talanta Stadium, a 60,000-capacity venue in Nairobi, is among the facilities being prepared for the competition, alongside existing venues undergoing upgrades. CAF's September inspection specifically included Talanta Stadium and other Nairobi facilities. The organisation said the visits were intended to identify areas requiring further attention and ensure preparations remain aligned with its infrastructure and operational requirements. The latest development means the focus has shifted from speculation over a postponement to whether the three host countries can complete the remaining work within the available timeframe. Source: GistReel original report Additional verification: CAF official update and Reuters reporting.