AFCON 2027: Finals scheduled to be held in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from June to July

Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe has announced that the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will be held in June and July next year.

The South African said reports that the tournament, hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, would be postponed or moved were “completely unfounded”.

Doubts have been raised about whether the necessary infrastructure in the three East African countries will be ready in time to host the finals.

Meanwhile, Nicholas Musoni, head of Kenya’s local organizing committee, told AFP on Thursday that postponing the tournament until 2028 “will be beneficial for Kenya” as the country prepares to hold general elections in August 2027.

“Next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will be very successful,” Motsepe said.

“I’m very confident. There are always challenges.

“We have to believe in ourselves as Africans and believe in our people. The quality of people who are leading African football are world class.”

Motsepe was speaking at a press conference after the CAF Executive Committee meeting in Dar es Salaam on Friday, and inspections of facilities and infrastructure in the three host countries will continue by officials from the continent’s governing body until Tuesday.

CAF has pledged to host the Africa Cup of Nations mid-year from 2019 onwards, but the past three editions have been held from January to February or December to January.

Organizing the tournament during the European club season has led to disagreements over player release dates, and the Africa Cup of Nations will be held every four years – instead of every two years – starting in 2028.

Motsepe added that the exact dates for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will be announced in due course.

The CAF president did not provide an update on bids to host the 2028 finals, but said he hopes to expand the Africa Cup of Nations from 24 to 28 teams in the future.