The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reportedly reached out to Morocco, Algeria, and South Africa to gauge their interest in hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. This development comes as concerns grow over the preparedness of the initially scheduled host countries, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. The tournament is set to take place from June 19 to July 17, 2027.
According to a report by the French newspaper Le Monde, CAF is exploring alternative hosts due to delays in preparations in Kenya and Uganda. CAF President Patrice Motsepe had previously expressed concerns over the pace of preparations during an inspection tour of the host countries. Despite these concerns, Motsepe has publicly stated that CAF has no "Plan B" or "Plan C" for the tournament.
Morocco, which recently hosted the 2025 AFCON, has been identified as a potential alternative host due to its experience and stadium infrastructure. The country is also set to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal. Additionally, Morocco has been working on several major football infrastructure projects.
Le Monde reports that Egypt and Côte d'Ivoire could also be considered as potential hosts. These countries are said to possess the necessary stadium infrastructure and experience to host the tournament on short notice. CAF has scheduled further monitoring of preparations, with Motsepe expected to return for another inspection in January 2027.
Despite the reported contacts, CAF has not announced any changes to the 2027 hosting arrangements. Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania remain the official hosts of the tournament. The discussions with alternative hosts are seen as contingency plans rather than a decision to relocate the tournament.
Morocco had previously indicated that it would not seek another AFCON hosting opportunity, preferring to focus on its preparations for the 2030 World Cup. However, with CAF exploring alternative hosts, Morocco's stance may have changed. The country's experience in hosting major tournaments could make it an attractive option for CAF.
The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations is expected to be a major event, and CAF is keen to ensure that it is hosted successfully. With concerns over the preparedness of the initial host countries, exploring alternative hosts is a prudent move. CAF will continue to monitor preparations, and a final decision on the host countries will be made in due course.
Key points
- CAF contacts Morocco, Algeria, and South Africa amid concerns over 2027 AFCON host countries' preparations.
- Morocco has experience hosting the AFCON and is set to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
- CAF has not announced any changes to the 2027 hosting arrangements, with Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania remaining the official hosts.
