Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda could each have a role in hosting the opening ceremony of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, CAF president Patrice Motsepe has revealed, as discussions continue over how the tournament will begin.
Motsepe made the comments in Nairobi after inspecting stadiums and other preparations in Kenya for the tournament, which is scheduled to take place from 19 June to 17 July 2027.
The CAF president said consultations were continuing with the African Union over the format of the opening ceremony, while stressing that the final would remain a single event.
“There can definitely only be one final, and there cannot be three finals. As for the opening ceremony, we saw what happened in the last edition of the World Cup in the summer of 2026 in the United States, Mexico and Canada. We are holding consultations and will issue a statement about it soon. We also want to give citizens a chance to earn money.”
Motsepe’s comments provide a new indication of how CAF is considering the unique three-country hosting arrangement for the 2027 tournament.
Kenya proposes opening-match idea
Motsepe also referred to a proposal from Kenya involving Tanzania that could determine where the opening match is staged.
Kenya has suggested playing a friendly against Tanzania at Talanta Stadium, with the winner potentially being given the opportunity to host the opening ceremony of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The proposal comes as the three co-hosts continue preparations for a tournament that will be shared across East Africa.
Motsepe also addressed concerns surrounding restrictions placed on Kenyan supporters during the 2025 African Nations Championship.
During that tournament, Kenyan fans faced restrictions involving drums, whistles and other forms of organised cheering inside stadiums.
The CAF president said drums would be permitted inside Raila Odinga International Stadium during the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Motsepe urges Kenya to resolve disputes
Motsepe also called on Kenyan football officials to overcome their internal disagreements as preparations for the tournament continue.
He stressed that disputes involving the Kenyan Football Federation and its Executive Committee should not affect the country’s ability to organise the competition successfully alongside Tanzania and Uganda.
The CAF president arrived in Nairobi on Friday and visited the new Talanta International Stadium as part of his inspection tour.
He was accompanied by CAF interim Secretary General Samson Adamu of Nigeria, CECAFA president Paulus Weldheymanot Andiamariam, Kenyan Football Federation president Hussein Mohammed and members of the Kenyan Local Organising Committee.
Motsepe had also planned to visit Uganda during the tour, but that part of the trip was postponed after concerns that travelling there before his planned visit to the United States could require a 21-day quarantine because of entry restrictions.
The CAF president is due to attend the United Nations General Assembly next week, where he said he has meetings scheduled with about 13 heads of state.
Preparations continue across three countries
Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are still working on the infrastructure required to stage the tournament.
Their preparations include completing stadiums and training facilities, while work also continues on roads serving the venues and logistical arrangements for teams, supporters and officials.
Accommodation and transport remain among the issues being addressed as the three countries prepare to welcome the tournament.
The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will be the first time in more than 50 years that East Africa hosts the continental tournament.
Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are scheduled to jointly stage the competition from 19 June to 17 July 2027, with CAF continuing to assess preparations as the tournament approaches.
