The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially withdrawn the hosting rights for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) from the East African Pamoja bid of Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. The decision, confirmed by CAF on July 10, 2025, was made due to significant delays in stadium construction and infrastructure development.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe stated that the organization could not risk postponing the tournament and needed to ensure it was held in countries with proven capabilities and existing infrastructure. The original hosts failed to meet the required benchmarks set during inspections.
A new bidding process has been opened for the 2027 tournament. As of April 2026, potential bids are being evaluated, with Algeria, Botswana, and a joint bid from Nigeria and Benin having expressed interest. A final decision on the new host nation(s) is expected later in 2026.
The 2025 AFCON is scheduled to be held in Morocco, maintaining the tournament's biennial cycle. The relocation of the 2027 event marks a significant setback for East African football development but aims to preserve the competition's quality and organization.
