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.

CAF Confirms 2027 AFCON Will Not Be Postponed as East Africa Preparations Continue

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

The prestigious continental tournament will be held in June and July 2027, jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The announcement comes amid recent speculation suggesting possible delays or relocation due to concerns over infrastructure readiness in East Africa.

Speaking after the CAF Executive Committee (EXCO) meeting in Tanzania, CAF President Patrice Motsepe firmly dismissed any claims that the 2027 AFCON would be postponed or moved to another region.

Patrice Motsepe Reaffirms Commitment to East Africa

CAF President Patrice Motsepe expressed strong confidence in the preparations of the three East African host nations and reassured stakeholders that the tournament remains firmly on schedule.

“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,” said Motsepe.

He further emphasized that CAF remains fully committed to ensuring the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations is successfully staged in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

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

CAF President Impressed With Preparations

Motsepe acknowledged that hosting a tournament of AFCON’s magnitude presents challenges but insisted that collaboration and unity among African nations will ensure success.

“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,” he said.

The CAF President also praised the leadership and commitment shown by the Heads of State of the three host nations.

“I am very happy with how the Heads of States from the three nations are committed to making AFCON a success. I want to thank President Samia Suluhu of Tanzania, I also want to thank President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda for their commitment.”

Motsepe also acknowledged Kenya’s President William Ruto, noting his public commitment toward ensuring Kenya is ready for the 2027 AFCON.

“CAF does not take their commitment for granted,” Motsepe stated.

2027 AFCON: A Historic Tournament for East Africa

The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will mark a historic milestone, as it will be the first time the tournament is jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Scheduled to run from June 19 to July 18, 2027, the competition will be the 36th edition of AFCON and is expected to attract global attention.

East Africa’s opportunity to host the tournament represents a major step in the region’s football development and infrastructure growth. Motsepe stressed that excluding East Africa from hosting major tournaments would limit the continent’s overall progress.

“If East Africa is excluded from hosting and participating in major tournaments like AFCON, we will not achieve the success we want as a continent,” he said.

No Relocation or Postponement to 2028

Recent reports had suggested that CAF might consider postponing the 2027 AFCON to 2028 due to logistical concerns. However, the Executive Committee’s official confirmation has put an end to such speculation.

Motsepe reiterated that the tournament will take place as planned in 2027 and that CAF has no intention of relocating it from East Africa.

“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,” he concluded.

Confidence in Hosting the “Best AFCON Ever”

Motsepe expressed optimism that the 2027 AFCON could become one of the most successful editions in the tournament’s history.

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

With preparations ongoing across stadium infrastructure, transport systems, accommodation facilities, and security planning, the three host nations continue to work closely with CAF to meet international standards.

The joint hosting model is expected to strengthen regional cooperation while boosting tourism, investment, and football development across East Africa.

Looking Ahead to AFCON 2027

As anticipation builds, football fans across Africa can now look forward to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations taking place as scheduled.

CAF’s firm stance has provided clarity and stability regarding the tournament’s future, ensuring that stakeholders, sponsors, and national teams can confidently plan ahead.

With strong political backing and CAF’s unwavering support, the 2027 AFCON in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda promises to be a landmark moment for African football.