KAMPALA, UGANDA: East Africa’s historic bid to host the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 finals is facing mounting uncertainty after a fresh inspection report by CAF revealed that none of the proposed stadiums in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania currently meets the required standards.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) inspection team, led by Christian Emeruwa and Stephanie Totokra, conducted assessments in early February 2026, focusing on stadiums, training facilities, safety systems, and infrastructure.
Their findings point to a region still racing against time, with most facilities either under construction, undergoing upgrades, or requiring major corrections.
“At present, none of the proposed competition stadiums fully meets CAF AFCON standards,” the report states, highlighting significant gaps in readiness across all three host nations.
CAF has now set a tight window for progress, with the period between March and August 2026 described as decisive.
By the next inspection, CAF says all three countries must demonstrate at least 80% completion of stadium works, confirmed government funding, and installation of lighting, security, and communication systems. Full operational readiness is required by January 2027, leaving little room for delays.
Country-by-Country Breakdown
In Kenya, flagship venues such as Kasarani Stadium and the Talanta Sports Complex remain under construction, with CAF warning that some facilities could be downgraded to training grounds if timelines are missed.
Tanzania appears slightly ahead structurally, particularly with the Samia Suluhu Stadium project, but still, CAF says, it needs major improvements in lighting, safety systems, and operational readiness across venues in Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, and Arusha.
In Uganda, concerns extend beyond stadiums to supporting infrastructure. Areas like Hoima lack sufficient standard training facilities, while questions remain over hotel capacity, road networks, and readiness of the Hoima International Airport.
A Dream at Risk
The joint bid, dubbed “Pamoja 2027”, was seen as a milestone opportunity for East Africa to host the continent’s biggest football tournament for the first time. However, the latest report underscores the scale of work still required to turn that vision into reality.
CAF inspectors are expected to return in August 2026 for a follow-up assessment that could determine whether the region remains on track or risks falling behind schedule.
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