The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reportedly contacted Algeria, Morocco, and South Africa to gauge their interest and capability in hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. This development comes amid concerns over delays in preparations by the initially selected hosts, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. According to a report by Le Monde, the CAF is exploring alternative options to ensure the tournament's success.
The CAF has inspected various aspects of the hosting countries, including stadiums, hotels, transportation, security, and airports. The concerns are particularly pronounced in Kenya and Uganda, where several construction projects are still pending. A CAN tournament requires more than just renovated stadiums; it demands the ability to host teams, supporters, officials, and broadcasters for an entire month.
Despite the concerns, CAF President Patrice Motsepe has publicly expressed confidence in the three host countries, stating that there is no "Plan B" or "Plan C." However, he acknowledged that the situation is urgent. A new inspection visit is scheduled for January 2027, which could prove decisive for the tournament's future.
Algeria is considered a viable option due to its existing modern stadiums, which were successfully used during the 2022 CHAN tournament. The country has several stadiums that meet the required standards, including the Nelson-Mandela Stadium in Algiers, the Miloud-Hadefi Stadium in Oran, and others. This existing infrastructure is a significant advantage in the CAF's evaluation process.
However, it is worth noting that Algeria has only hosted the CAN once, in 1990, and had previously withdrawn its bids for the 2025 and 2027 editions. According to some sources, Algeria may not be interested in taking over the hosting duties. The Algerian Football Federation has not officially commented on the matter.
Changing the host country at short notice is not unprecedented. The CAF has previously relocated the tournament, such as moving the 2013 edition from Libya to South Africa and the 2015 edition from Morocco to Equatorial Guinea. In 2019, the CAF withdrew the hosting rights from Cameroon due to preparation delays, and Egypt took over the tournament.
The coming months will be crucial in determining the fate of the 2027 CAN. If the host countries fail to make sufficient progress in their preparations, Algeria and other potential hosts may be called upon to step in. However, for now, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda remain the officially designated hosts.
Key points
- The CAF is considering Algeria, Morocco, and South Africa as potential hosts for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations due to delays in preparations by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
- Algeria has existing modern stadiums that meet the CAF's requirements, making it a viable option to host the tournament.
- The CAF will conduct another inspection visit in January 2027 to assess the progress of the host countries.
