Nairobi: The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is under threat of being postponed due to significant concerns about the preparedness of the co-hosting nations-Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. As the tournament date approaches, these countries face scrutiny over their infrastructure readiness and other critical organizational aspects.
According to Ghana Web, the infrastructure in the co-hosting nations is not meeting the expected standards, raising alarms among the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive Committee members. The lack of adequate infrastructure is one of the primary reasons leading to discussions about possibly delaying the tournament until 2028.
Beyond infrastructure issues, there are significant concerns regarding ticketing and security measures around the stadiums in these nations. These problems were previously highlighted during the hosting of the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN), which exposed vulnerabilities in managing security and logistical arrangements.
Another challenge complicating the situation is the scheduling of qualifiers within the international football calendar. The upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, set for June to July 2026, alongside various friendlies, adds pressure to an already packed schedule, making it difficult to allocate time for AFCON qualification matches.
CAF Executive Committee members are expected to convene soon to thoroughly assess the situation and decide on the future of the 2027 tournament. The outcome of this meeting could determine whether the event will proceed as planned or face a postponement.