CAF president Patrice Motsepe has said Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania will successfully host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. He said the region has the capacity, political will and improving infrastructure to meet CAF standards.
Motsepe made the remarks in Rabat after the 2026 Afcon final. Senegal beat hosts Morocco 1–0 after extra time. Papa Gueye scored the winning goal four minutes into the additional period.
The final attracted top football officials. Among them was Federation of Uganda Football Associations president Moses Magogo, alongside federation heads from Kenya and Tanzania.
At the awards ceremony, FIFA president Gianni Infantino handed CAF flags to the presidents of the three next host nations. The handover took place in the presence of Motsepe and senior CAF officials. It marked the formal transfer of hosting duties to East Africa.
The Morocco tournament earned praise for its stadiums, pitches, technology and organisation. Many observers described it as a new standard for African football.
Speaking to journalists, Motsepe called the 2026 event historic.
“This has been the single most successful Afcon in the history of the competition. The quality of the football has been world-class, as has the quality of the stadiums and the infrastructure,” Motsepe said.
He admitted that infrastructure levels vary across Africa. He said CAF must still develop the game everywhere.
“Part of being a leader is to deal with difficult and unpleasant decisions that we have to take. I have a duty to develop football all over Africa, and I cannot have football only in those countries with the best infrastructure,” he said.
Motsepe rejected claims that CAF could withdraw hosting rights from the region.
“I am confident that the Afcon in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will be enormously successful. We are not going to take the competition away from these countries,” he said.
The Pamoja bid was the first joint Afcon hosting by three East African nations. CAF said the move supports regional integration and shared investment.
With under two years to go, the three countries are fast-tracking stadium works, training grounds, transport and hotels. Authorities say the upgrades will outlive Afcon 2027 and boost local football and sports tourism.
