Following a meeting of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive Committee, it has been officially confirmed that the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 tournament will proceed as scheduled and will not be postponed to 2028. The tournament Is set to be played between June and July.
The clarification puts to rest weeks of speculation suggesting that the continental showpiece could be delayed due to logistical, infrastructural, or political considerations in the host region. CAF’s leadership described such reports as unfounded, reiterating its full confidence in the current hosting arrangements and timelines.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe, addressing the matter after the Executive Committee meeting, emphasized that there has been no discussion within CAF about postponing the tournament. He reaffirmed that preparations are on course and that Africa’s flagship football competition will take place as planned in mid-2027.
AFCON 2027 will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, marking the first time the tournament will be staged across three East African nations. The competition is scheduled for June to July 2027, aligning with CAF’s long-term international calendar and commercial commitments.
The confirmation comes amid heightened scrutiny of host-nation readiness, particularly around stadium upgrades, transport infrastructure, accommodation, and security planning. CAF noted that ongoing assessments and support mechanisms remain in place to ensure all host venues meet the required standards well ahead of kickoff.
With the dates now firmly locked in, attention is expected to shift back to on-the-ground preparations, national team qualification campaigns, and infrastructure delivery across the three countries. For East Africa, AFCON 2027 is viewed as a landmark opportunity to showcase the region’s growing influence in African football and its capacity to host a major global sporting event.
CAF reiterated that it will continue working closely with the host governments, local organizing committees, and football federations to ensure the tournament is delivered successfully and on schedule.