The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations is facing renewed questions over the readiness of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, despite CAF president Patrice Motsepe insisting there is no contingency plan to move the tournament.
The three East African countries are scheduled to host the tournament from June 19 to July 17, 2027, marking the first time the region will jointly stage the continent’s flagship football competition.
With the qualifying campaign already underway, the hosts have less than nine months to complete outstanding stadium, training-ground and wider infrastructure projects.
Motsepe sought to end speculation over a possible change of venue during an inspection tour of the three countries earlier this month.
“There is no Plan B, there is no Plan C, there never will be a Plan B, there never will be a Plan C,” Motsepe said.
However, the CAF president also acknowledged that some areas of preparation were behind schedule and called for an acceleration of the work, particularly with stadiums expected to be available for testing early next year.
Kenya and Uganda race to finish stadium projects
Kenya faces one of the most significant infrastructure challenges, with the newly constructed Talanta Sports International Stadium and the renovated Kasarani Stadium among the key venues being prepared for the tournament.
CAF said Motsepe was impressed by progress at Talanta while also providing feedback on outstanding work at Kasarani.
The Kenyan government has maintained that the projects will be completed on schedule, with Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya describing AFCON 2027 as part of the country’s wider sporting and economic ambitions.
Uganda is also upgrading several facilities, including Mandela National Stadium, Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium and Hoima City Stadium.
CAF recently completed another inspection of Uganda’s stadiums and training facilities as preparations continue.
Tanzania, meanwhile, has been assessed across a broader range of facilities. CAF inspectors visited Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam and proposed venues in Arusha and Zanzibar, alongside airports, hotels, hospitals, training facilities and road infrastructure.
Why relocation speculation persists
Despite Motsepe’s repeated assurances, reports of possible contingency discussions have continued to fuel speculation about alternative hosts if the infrastructure deadlines are not met.
Countries such as South Africa, Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Côte d’Ivoire have been mentioned in reports because of their established stadium infrastructure and previous experience hosting major CAF competitions.
Those reports do not amount to an official relocation process, however.
CAF has not announced a change of host, while Motsepe’s stated position remains that Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will stage the 2027 tournament.
The governing body has also continued to conduct inspections and work with the three host nations rather than publicly announcing preparations for a replacement venue.
January deadline looms
The next major checkpoint could come in January 2027, when Motsepe is expected to return to assess progress.
The CAF president has indicated that stadiums need to be ready for testing around that period, giving the hosts only a limited window to complete construction, renovations and operational preparations.
For Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, the coming months will therefore be critical.
While CAF remains publicly committed to the East African hosts, the condition of the stadiums and supporting infrastructure at the next inspection is likely to provide a clearer indication of whether preparations are advancing quickly enough for the June 2027 kick-off.
