Nairobi:The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, originally scheduled for June 19 to July 17, might be moved to the Christmas and New Year period as issues persist with preparations in the host nations of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
According to Ghana Web, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is considering alternative plans due to delays in infrastructure development and other preparatory activities. Although CAF president Patrice Motsepe expressed confidence in the event's success and reiterated commitment to the current hosts, there are ongoing concerns about the pace of preparations.
Reports indicate that CAF has already contacted five countries—Morocco, Algeria, Côte d'Ivoire, South Africa, and Egypt—about their ability to host the tournament if the current preparations stall further. Additionally, discussions have been held regarding a potential postponement to later in the year, mirroring the timing of the last tournament.
One of the key issues is the incomplete status of Nairobi's Talanta Sports Stadium, which is crucial for the tournament. CAF's president is expected to revisit the host countries in January 2027 to evaluate their progress, a visit that could be pivotal in determining the tournament's schedule and location.