FIFA confirms 2027 AFCON dates amid hosting concerns

The historic tournament will be held from 19 June to 17 July 2027, with the confirmation providing clarity for stakeholders, even as questions remain about the readiness of the host nations.

The decision was finalised during a FIFA Council meeting held in Vancouver, on the sidelines of the federation’s annual conference.

The infrastructure challenges in the three countries have fuelled discussions within African football circles about the feasibility of meeting the tournament deadline.

The East African bid secured hosting rights on the promise of upgraded stadiums, improved transport networks, and enhanced accommodation facilities.

Last month’s CAF inspection report exposed significant gaps in the three countries’ proposed venues.

The report reveals that as of February 2026, none of Kenya’s three proposed stadiums fully meet Category 4 requirements for hosting the continental showpiece.

The report highlighted that Kenya’s infrastructure programme was in a mixed stage of construction, upgrades, and operational redesign, with significant gaps across key venues. 

The venues assessed included Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani and Nyayo National Stadium, alongside Talanta.

“While Kenya benefits from a strong metropolitan environment in Nairobi, the delivery programme remains exposed due to the scale of structural upgrades required, dependency on new construction and uneven readiness of training infrastructure,” CAF said in the report.

The situation was similar in Uganda, with a CAF report revealing that as of February 2026, none of the country’s four proposed stadiums fully meet Category 4 requirements.

Mandela National Stadium in Kampala is being renovated as the main venue, while Hoima City Stadium was recently declared structurally complete but was flagged for poor layout.

Akii-Bua Stadium in Lira is still under construction, designed to match Hoima’s capacity.