DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania — CAF President Patrice Motsepe said Friday that the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will be staged in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda as scheduled, pushing back on reports that the tournament could be moved or delayed.
Speaking after a CAF executive committee meeting in Tanzania, Motsepe called the reports “totally unfounded” and said he was confident the three countries will be ready, even as he acknowledged there will be challenges tied to stadium work, pitches and hotel capacity. He said CAF will work with organizers on the ground to fix gaps ahead of kickoff.
The comments came days after a report by The Guardian raised doubts about readiness and suggested a postponement was being considered. Motsepe said speculation will continue in coming months but insisted the plan remains unchanged.
Motsepe also said CAF is considering expanding the AFCON finals to 28 teams, up from 24, as part of wider competition reforms. He has previously outlined a shift to a four year AFCON cycle after the 2028 tournament, with an annual African Nations League planned to fill the calendar.
He pointed to Morocco 2025 as a benchmark, saying the tournament set new commercial and digital marks. CAF has said the event drew 23 sponsors, and its digital platforms recorded about 6 billion views during the competition.
Motsepe also returned to the controversy around the Morocco final, saying CAF will strengthen rules to protect the credibility of referees, VAR officials and match commissioners. CAF disciplinary bodies have already issued fines tied to incidents in the final, and Motsepe said CAF wants tougher penalties available for serious misconduct.
Motsepe spoke alongside regional football leaders and thanked the governments of the three host countries for backing the joint bid, saying the tournament should leave long term benefits such as improved stadiums, training sites and tourism gains.
CAF has not yet released the full match schedule, but Motsepe said the tournament window is expected in June and July 2027.
