CAF confirms, the AFCON 2027 preparations in East Africa to continue

DAR-ES-SALAAM, Tanzania 

While persistent rumors were circulating about a plan B due to infrastructure delays in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania (the "Pamoja" project), Patrice Motsepe took advantage of his presence on Tanzanian soil to play the firefighter on duty. 

In front of an audience of journalists, he swept away doubts about the ability of East Africa to host the tournament.

Meeting with the executive committee this Friday in Tanzania, the president of the Confederation of African football, Patrice Motsepe, held a press conference in Dar es Salaam. 

Between denials about the organization of the AFCON 2027 and a total overhaul of the continental calendar, the boss of African football is drawing a new face for the king sport on the continent.

“People said I was coming here to remove the organization from the AFCON 2027. That’s not true. I am confident (...) There are many challenges, but we are working to be ready as we worked for these countries to organize the CHAN last year. I am absolutely convinced that we will succeed in organizing the AFCON 2027," He hammered. Aware of the magnitude of the task, he added: "We will work hard to meet this challenge."

Another point discussed at length during this executive committee meeting is the issue of the disciplinary code, following the events that occurred during the final of the 2025 edition. 

If Senegal lifted the trophy, the withdrawal of the Lions from the field or even the incidents with the ball collectors and violent incidents have tarnished the final table. 

Behaviors that the apex body now considers unacceptable. Visibly affected by the security reports, President Motsepe did not mince his words.

“This will never happen again (...) We will study the regulations to review the scope of fines and sanctions. They must live up to the seriousness of the violations of the rules of the game. We will amend the regulations to ensure that the sanctions are adequate (...),"  Warned the CAF boss, confessing his "disappointment" and "embarrassment."

The chapter of arbitration, often at the heart of controversies in Africa, has also been the subject of a critical analysis. Comparing the last two editions, the president noted a worrying setback in Morocco compared to Côte d'Ivoire:

"The referees' reports during the AFCON in Côte d'Ivoire were excellent (...) In Morocco, given the elements produced, it was a disappointment." He nevertheless reiterated his desire to protect the game: 

This is undoubtedly the most structural announcement of this Executive Committee. To align with the standards of the Euro or the World Cup, and probably to ease tensions with European clubs regarding the provision of players, the AFCON moves to a quadrennial frequency. A change that must be enacted after the 2028 edition, whose host country still needs to be designated.

In this sense, a reflection is also being conducted for the AFCON to increase to 28 teams, compared to 24 currently. For the South African leader, this decision aims to "strengthen the competitiveness of the tournament and offer a greater number of countries the experience of continental competition," thus valuing emerging talents throughout the territory.

To compensate for the absence of the AFCON every two years and maintain the federations' revenues, the CAF launches the League of African Nations. Planned every two years with a zonal format, it should serve as a lever for the development of local infrastructure.

Finally, despite the criticisms about arbitration, Patrice Motsepe was keen to commend the Cherifian kingdom for the quality of its facilities, seeing in the Moroccan model the future of the continent: "The success of the competition in Morocco is a huge inspiration on which we must rely for the next editions."