Uganda will co host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Kenya and Tanzania after CAF President Patrice Motsepe dismissed calls to move the tournament away from East Africa over infrastructure concerns.
Speaking during a press conference in Morocco on Saturday January 17 Motsepe rejected suggestions that the competition should be reassigned to countries considered more developed, insisting CAF remains committed to spreading major tournaments across the continent.
The remarks came after Ivorian journalist Mamadou Gaye questioned whether East Africa was ready to stage AFCON, citing travel and road network challenges between the three host nations.
“The next one AFCON is heading to 3 East African countries where I have been. No roads connecting the countries. Some of my colleagues from East Africa told me that from one country to another one will take you 2 days to drive,” Gaye said during the press conference.
He added, “Then my biggest worry and many are worried are we are going to lower the standards by going to East Africa. What is the solution forward. Is there any possibility that it will be taken away from those countries.”
Motsepe responded by stressing that CAF’s mandate includes using football to drive development across Africa and that limiting hosting rights to a few established nations would undermine that goal.
“You’ve got to create opportunities for all African countries to develop infrastructure. I am confident that the AFCON will be successful. I know there will be challenges,” Motsepe said.
He pointed to the successful hosting of the African Nations Championship in August 2025 by Uganda Kenya and Tanzania as evidence that the region can deliver a major tournament.
“That’s why I wanted CHAN to take place in those countries because it would give the chance to develop. We are not going to take the competition away from those countries because I am convinced it will be successful,” he added.
Motsepe noted that logistical and infrastructure challenges are part of every major tournament regardless of location, drawing comparisons with the 2026 World Cup which will be co hosted by the United States and Mexico.
AFCON 2027 will be staged under the Pamoja joint bid following the 2025 edition in Morocco.
From 2028 the tournament will shift to a four year cycle after CAF confirmed the changes in December following consultations with FIFA aimed at easing long standing scheduling conflicts with European club competitions.
