CAF Confirms 2027 AFCON Still in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda

CAF announces AFCON switch to quadrennial format from 2028

CAF President Patrice Motsepe confirms 2027 AFCON in East Africa, hosted jointly by Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda.

“I have a responsibility to promote African football…”

CAF President Patrice Motsepe has reaffirmed that the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will be held in East Africa as planned, with Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda co-hosting the tournament. Motsepe expressed confidence in the football federations of the three countries, stating that they will deliver a successful tournament. The 2027 AFCON is scheduled to take place in June and July, with exact dates to be announced soon.

Motsepe's announcement comes after speculation that the tournament might be postponed to 2028 due to infrastructure concerns. However, he dismissed these rumors, saying they were “totally unfounded” and that he has great confidence in the host countries' preparations. The CAF president also praised the commitment of the presidents of Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda to making the tournament a success.

Read Also: East Africa Ready for AFCON 2027 - CAF Inspects Facilities For The Competition

Motsepe is bullish about the 2027 AFCON, saying it'll be one of the best tournaments Africa has ever seen. He credits the cooperation and solidarity among Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda for the expected success. “I'm confident it'll be a memorable tournament,” he said.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT: CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe emphasises CAF’s uncompromising determination to maintain and advance the integrity, reputation and global competitiveness of African Football and CAF Competitions.

👉🔗 https://t.co/GO0E4rZrbs
🔗 https://t.co/CVPONf9jBk pic.twitter.com/EMZ94rTjqO

— CAF Media (@CAF_Media) January 30, 2026

AFCON will be staged in East Africa

“I know AFCON will be staged here, so I don’t want to hear that question again of whether AFCON will be played in East Africa or it will be taken away,” Motsepe told the media in Tanzania before commencing his press briefing.

“We have done a lot to have AFCON held in East Africa, and our commitment remains to have AFCON in East Africa. I know there will be a lot of news in the coming weeks about AFCON status, let us leave that behind us, and stay focused because we know AFCON will be held here (in East Africa).

“We understand there may be several challenges, but it is important that we trust each other and support each other as Africans, because it is possible.

“I am enormously confident we will succeed in hosting 2027 AFCON in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.”

Motsepe added: “I am very happy with how the Heads of States from the three nations are committed to make AFCON a success. I want to thank President Samia Suluhu of Tanzania, I want to thank President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, for the commitment to make AFCON an immense success.

“I also want to thank Kenya Head of State President Ruto. He recently posted a selfie-video of him saying Kenya is ready to host AFCON. CAF does not take their commitment for granted.”

East Africa's Big Moment

Motsepe believes hosting AFCON 2027 is crucial for East Africa's growth in football. “It is going to be enormous,” he said, adding that excluding the region from major tournaments would hinder its progress. By hosting AFCON, East Africa will showcase its capabilities and boost its football landscape.

He concluded: “I am enormously confident we will succeed in hosting the 2027 AFCON in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. We will be successful next year. We have to believe in ourselves as Africa, we have to believe we can host a successful AFCON in our three countries.”

“It is going to be enormous. I came here to reaffirm my confidence and believe East Africa will stage the best AFCON ever.”

On whether Kenya's upcoming elections in 2027 will affect AFCON, Motsepe responded: “I don’t think so. We will have our tournament before the elections. I know that is how the schedule is, and we don't have to worry.”

Motsepe has reaffirmed his support for East Africa's bid to host the 2027 AFCON, saying it's a crucial opportunity for the region's football growth. This is the second time in less than a month he's backed the three-nation bid, previously stating at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco that Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda won't be deprived of hosting the tournament.

“I have a responsibility to promote African football… I believe 2027 AFCON will be successful for Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and we will not deprive them of the opportunity to host (the competition),” he said.

The 2027 AFCON will make history as the first edition to be hosted by three countries – Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda. It's also the first time in 50 years that the CECAFA region will host the tournament, last done by Ethiopia in 1976.

The tournament coincides with AFCON's 70th anniversary and will be the last one in odd-numbered years. Starting 2028, AFCON will switch to a quadrennial format, as announced by CAF in December 2025.

“African football is enormously attractive.” ~ CAF President, Patrice Motsepe #FUFATvUpdates | #HomeOfUgandanSport pic.twitter.com/zWv7UvRBkX

— FUFA Tv (@fufatv1) February 13, 2026