CAF president confident 2027 Cup of Nations will be successful despite challenges

The upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations finals, set to be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, will be an "enormous success" despite facing challenges, according to Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe. He conveyed this optimism during a press conference in Johannesburg.

While Motsepe did not specify the nature of the challenges, concerns have previously been raised regarding stadium construction in Kenya. Officials indicated in May that progress on the new 60,000-seat Talanta Sports City stadium in Nairobi and renovations to the 48,000-capacity Moi International Sports Centre were on schedule.

“

We have to have confidence in our people despite the challenges and sometimes there will be failures, but we have to get up and go again.

"We have to have confidence in our people despite the challenges and sometimes there will be failures, but we have to get up and go again," Motsepe stated. He added, "But the Cup of Nations in East Africa will be an enormous success. There are some challenges but I’m proud with the work of the heads of state of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are doing."

The tournament is scheduled for June 19 to July 17, 2027. Notably, starting with the 2028 edition, the continental championship will shift to a quadrennial schedule, moving away from its current biennial format. Motsepe also revealed that CAF has received "exciting bids" for hosting rights for the 2028, 2032, and 2036 tournaments, though further details were not provided. Qualifiers for the 24-team event are slated to begin in September and conclude by March.

“

But the Cup of Nations in East Africa will be an enormous success. There are some challenges but I’m proud with the work of the heads of state of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are doing.