The President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, has firmly backed the East African joint bid to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), dismissing any speculation about the region's preparedness. This confirmation came during a press briefing in Rabat, Morocco, on Saturday, 17 January 2026, on the eve of the AFCON final.
Morocco Sets a High Bar, But East Africa is Ready
Motsepe praised Morocco's hosting of the 2026 tournament, calling it "the single most successful AFCON in the history of the competition." He highlighted the world-class quality of football, stadiums, and infrastructure. Despite this high standard set by Morocco, which is preparing to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, the CAF boss was unequivocal in his support for the East African nations.
"We are not going to take the competition away from these countries," Motsepe declared. He acknowledged his duty to develop football across the entire continent, not just in nations with existing top-tier infrastructure.
A Historic Tournament for the Region
The 2027 edition will mark a significant return of the premier African football tournament to the region. It will be the first AFCON hosted in East Africa since Ethiopia staged the event in 1976. Furthermore, this tournament is set to be one of the last before a major format change.
Motsepe recently announced that AFCON will shift from its traditional two-year cycle to a four-year cycle. He insisted this decision was made independently, stating, "We have to free ourselves as Africans and not think whenever we take a decision it is because FIFA says this or Europe says this." However, he conceded that there are times when concessions must be made.
Proven Track Record and Future Confidence
The chosen trio of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda are not new to joint hosting duties. They successfully co-hosted the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN), a tournament for locally-based players. Although that event was postponed from early in the year to August to allow more time for facility preparations, it provided crucial organizational experience.
Motsepe expressed strong confidence in the upcoming event, saying, "I am confident that the AFCON in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will be enormously successful." He framed the decision to support these nations as a necessary leadership duty, involving difficult choices for the broader growth of African football.
While many countries have expressed interest in hosting the planned 2028 AFCON, potentially as a test run for Morocco's World Cup, the path for the 2027 tournament is firmly set on an East African course, promising a historic and expansive celebration of the continent's football.
