CAF Weighs Postponement of 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Over Host Concerns
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is reportedly considering a significant postponement of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to 2028, driven by mounting concerns over the readiness of the joint host nations Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. This potential delay could lead to the cancellation of the originally planned 2028 edition and force a major reshuffle in CAF's competition calendar, sparking widespread debate within the football community.
Infrastructure and Security Issues at the Forefront
Internal discussions within CAF's Executive Committee have intensified due to doubts about whether the three East African nations can adequately meet the demands of hosting a 24-team tournament. The event is scheduled to be spread across up to 10 cities, raising alarms about stadium readiness, training facilities, transport networks, and accommodation. These concerns were exacerbated by problems experienced during the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), which was also hosted in parts of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, where reports of ticketing issues and security lapses highlighted preparedness gaps.
Additionally, the international football calendar presents a challenge, with Africa expected to have up to 10 teams at the next FIFA World Cup. CAF is struggling to find space for qualifiers and preparatory matches without overloading players and clubs, strengthening arguments for pushing the tournament back by 12 months. Despite these issues, CAF President Patrice Motsepe has recently insisted that the 2027 AFCON will proceed as planned, emphasizing that hosting major competitions should not be limited to countries with already-established infrastructure.
Potential Impacts on African Football
If approved, the postponement would have ripple effects across African football. The cancellation of the 2028 AFCON could open the door for CAF to introduce its proposed African Nations League in 2029, a competition designed to replace both AFCON and CHAN as the body's main revenue generator. This move would significantly alter the landscape of continental tournaments and affect planning for national teams, qualification schedules, and sponsorship agreements.
For the host nations, a delay would be a blow to national pride and development goals tied to the tournament, which was awarded as part of CAF's push to expand football infrastructure across the continent. Fans and stakeholders are left in uncertainty as CAF has not issued a formal statement on the reported proposal, but with mounting logistical and scheduling pressures, the future of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations now hangs in the balance.
Related Developments in Women's Football
In a related development, the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has officially requested the postponement of the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), citing an overloaded domestic football calendar. This adds to the broader challenges facing CAF in managing its tournament schedule, with South Africa expressing readiness to step in as host if needed. CAF is expected to make final decisions on both the men's and women's tournaments after an upcoming Executive Committee meeting in Dar es Salaam.
