CAF President Motsepe says 2027 AFCON will remain in East Africa

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive Committee has officially confirmed the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will go on as scheduled and will not be postponed to 2028.

The tournament will be held in June and July 2027. Speaking after the EXCO meeting held in Tanzania, CAF President Patrice Motsepe assured that the AFCON will not be relocated nor postponed.

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

CAF President Patrice Motsepe dismisses any notion that East Africa will not be ready in time to host AFCON 2027, as has been reported severally this week. pic.twitter.com/JEnmlm4yam

— Mark Kinyanjui (@Kiinya_Y) February 13, 2026

“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),” said Motsepe.

Motsepe impressed with preps

“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 also 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.”

‘AFCON will be successful next year’

Motsepe explained East Africa will not be able to achieve the same great success as other regions if it is excluded from hosting and participating in major tournaments in Africa like AFCON.

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 that East Africa will stage the best AFCON ever.”

The 36th edition of the African tournament organised by CAF, is scheduled to be hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania from June 19 to July 18.