Confederation of African Football is considering contingency plans for the 2027 AFCON with South Africa emerging as a leading alternative host due to concerns over preparations in East Africa.
The tournament was originally awarded to a joint bid from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
However, with just over a year before the competition, progress on infrastructure has raised questions within CAF.
A recent inspection report, reviewed by French publication Le Monde, highlights significant delays in the construction and renovation of stadiums across the three host nations ahead of the next AFCON.
According to the findings, none of the venues inspected in Uganda currently meet the required Category 4 standards, a benchmark necessary for hosting major international matches.
The report also flagged concerns in Kenya, where several construction projects remain ongoing and behind schedule.
Tanzania, however, appears to be the only country among the co-hosts making steady progress in its preparations for the AFCON.
Beyond stadiums, supporting infrastructure such as facilities for supporters has also been affected, further complicating readiness for a tournament of this scale.
In response, CAF is quietly exploring alternative solutions.
South Africa has been identified as a credible option capable of taking over full hosting responsibilities if required, while Rwanda is also being considered as a potential partial host.
A CAF delegation is currently in Uganda to assess the situation on the ground, working closely with local authorities and football officials.
The inspection team includes CAF department heads across key operational areas such as competitions, broadcasting, safety and security, finance, and commercial operations.
Representatives from the three host nations and government officials overseeing sports infrastructure are also involved in the evaluation process.
Among those participating in the inspection efforts is CAF’s Director of Competitions, Samson Adamu, as the governing body intensifies its monitoring of preparations.
Despite the challenges, CAF has not yet made any formal decision regarding a potential change of host.
The coming months are expected to be crucial, as Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania race against time to meet the required standards.
The stakes are high for the East African nations, as hosting AFCON presents an opportunity not only to showcase their footballing credentials but also to deliver long-term infrastructure development.
As preparations continue, the situation remains fluid.
The groundwork currently being assessed, particularly in Kampala, could ultimately determine whether the 2027 edition proceeds as planned or shifts to a new host.
With expectations high for one of the most ambitious AFCON tournaments yet, CAF faces a balancing act between maintaining confidence in the original hosts and ensuring the competition meets its global standards.
