Faced with persistent rumors of postponement, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has taken a firm stance. On Friday, February 13, its president, Patrice Motsepe, reaffirmed that the 2027 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations will indeed be held in East Africa, as originally planned.

A firm commitment despite the speculation

Meeting in executive committee in Dar es Salaam, Patrice Motsepe dismissed rumors suggesting a postponement to 2028 due to an alleged lack of preparation on the part of the host countries.

“Our commitment remains intact. I am convinced that we will organize a very successful AFCON in these three countries,” he said, stressing CAF’s willingness to closely support Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in terms of logistics and infrastructure.

The timetable and the security challenge

Although the exact dates are yet to be determined, two major points stand out:

1. Selected period: The tournament is expected to take place in June and July 2027 .
2. Political context: This schedule places the competition just before the general elections in Kenya. While some local officials, such as Nicholas Musonye, had security concerns and preferred a postponement, CAF maintains its confidence in the hosts' ability to manage the event.

Refereeing and VAR: Integrity takes priority

Alongside this confirmation, Patrice Motsepe emphasized the modernization of continental football. Drawing lessons from the tumultuous final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco—marked by the frustration of Senegalese players with the refereeing—CAF promises to strengthen the training of VAR officials and technicians.