Nicholas Musonye, chairman of Kenya's AFCON 2027 Local Organising Committee, has publicly declared that the three co-hosts, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, are on course to deliver the tournament. This comes as concerns grow over infrastructure delays, with reports emerging that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) explored contingency options ahead of the June 2027 kick-off. Musonye made the statement just nine months out from the opening whistle, aiming to calm nerves around the continent's biggest football showpiece.
CAF recently wrapped up an eight-day inspection tour of stadiums, airports, hotels, and logistics across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. The inspection covered various aspects, including training grounds, transport networks, security arrangements, media facilities, and logistics. This move was crucial in assessing the readiness of the host countries to stage the tournament. Musonye expressed confidence in the readiness of the three East African co-hosts, stating that they are prepared to host AFCON 2027.
Despite the confident public messaging, the three nations are still racing to complete significant chunks of their tournament infrastructure. Reports have surfaced suggesting CAF looked into alternative hosting options amid concerns about delays. However, CAF president Patrice Motsepe has firmly shut down that line of thinking, stating there is "no Plan B" or "Plan C" for AFCON 2027. This indicates that the tournament will go ahead as planned, with the three host countries working to meet the deadline.
Kenya's centrepiece venue is the new 60,000-seat Talanta Sports International Stadium in Nairobi. Renovation work at Kasarani Stadium is ongoing, with Musonye indicating that the pitch should be finished by the end of October and the full facility handed over in December. Additionally, training venues and other supporting infrastructure still require attention before the country can call itself fully tournament-ready. The Kenyan government is working to ensure that all necessary infrastructure is completed on time.
Uganda is targeting the same December deadline for its main stadiums. Hoima City Stadium has already been completed, while both Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium and Mandela National Stadium are still under construction. The Ugandan government is working to ensure that the stadiums are completed and ready for the tournament. This will involve further work on training facilities and other supporting infrastructure.
Tanzania appears to be the furthest along among the three host countries, with its main stadiums reported to be more than 80% complete on average and training facilities sitting at around 75%. CAF is expected to maintain close oversight of progress in the coming months, with each milestone likely to come under fresh scrutiny as the June 2027 deadline draws nearer. The Tanzanian government is working to complete the remaining work and ensure that the country is ready to host the tournament.
The tournament is scheduled to kick off on 19 June 2027. With nine months to go, the three host countries are working to complete the necessary infrastructure and ensure a successful tournament. Key points to note include:
Key points
- The three co-hosts, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, are on course to deliver AFCON 2027, according to Nicholas Musonye.
- CAF recently completed an eight-day inspection tour of stadiums, airports, hotels, and logistics across the host countries.
- The tournament is scheduled to kick off on 19 June 2027, with the host countries working to complete the necessary infrastructure on time.
