FIFA Series shine spotlight on East Africa’s AFCON 2027 ‘Pamoja’ Bid

As the FIFA Series comes to an end, bringing the tournament to a close, East Africa is seizing the moment to reinforce its joint bid to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The matches, including Kenya’s clash against Australia, have provided Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda—under the ‘Pamoja’ initiative—with a key platform to showcase their readiness to stage a major continental tournament.

Sports Cabinet Secretary (CS) Salim Mvurya says the series has been a strategic opportunity to demonstrate the region’s organizational capacity and growing football ambitions.

“The FIFA Series is more than just a set of friendly matches, it is a strategic step towards elevating Kenya’s football standards and reinforcing the country’s readiness to host major continental tournaments,” he said.

Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) president Wallace Karia echoed the sentiment, noting that much of the required infrastructure is already in place, with only minor upgrades needed to meet CAF standards.

“Our infrastructure is largely ready. What remains are small upgrades to meet CAF standards. This shows how close we are to realizing the dream of hosting AFCON together,” he said.

FIFA’s Deputy Chief Member Associations Officer Gelson Fernandes also reaffirmed support for the region, highlighting the importance of unity and long-term vision in developing African football.

With the FIFA Series drawing to a close, East Africa is not only wrapping up a successful tournament but also strengthening its case to host AFCON 2027.