CAF begins stadium inspection ahead of AFCON 2027 News

The Confederation of African Football has sent a team of technical experts to the three co-hosts of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations — Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya — to inspect facilities ahead of the tournament, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya won the bid to host the next edition of the tournament, tagged PAMOJA 2027, ahead of a joint bid by Nigeria and the Benin Republic. The tripartite hosting will mark the end of CAF’s biennial format for the tournament.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe announced during the last edition in Morocco that the next AFCON after 2027 will be staged in 2028, while subsequent editions will be held every four years.

The CAF technical experts’ visit to the East African countries will also be highlighted by Motsepe’s visit to Tanzania on Friday. The inspection visits by the technical experts kicked off this week and will run until Tuesday, February 17.

In line with CAF’s world-class delivery standards, the assessment will cover pitch requirements, safety, security and infrastructure readiness at key match and training venues earmarked for use during the tournament.

“CAF’s inspections form part of a broader strategy to raise standards on and off the pitch across African football. By driving consistent, world-class benchmarks in infrastructure, operations and venue management, CAF aims to enhance the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON’s reputation as among the leading football tournaments in the world,” CAF said in a statement on Wednesday.

“These efforts also support CAF’s wider objective of helping to build a stronger and more self-sustaining football ecosystem on the continent through partnerships with governments to improve facilities, delivery capability and long-term football development.”

In Tanzania, CAF’s inspections began in Dar es Salaam and will continue with site visits to Arusha and Zanzibar. The programme includes the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium and several designated training sites. The mission will then continue to Arusha for an inspection of Samia Suluhu Stadium. CAF experts will also inspect Amaan Stadium and Fumba Stadium, a venue that the Tanzania Local Organising Committee has earmarked for the tournament.

Three stadiums listed by Kenya, mainly in Nairobi, will also be inspected. They include Kasarani Stadium, Nyayo Stadium and Talanta Sports Stadium, as well as key training sites such as the Ulinzi Sports Complex and the Kenya Academy of Sports.

Uganda’s inspection programme includes Entebbe and Kampala, with visits to Mandela National Stadium and designated training sites. The CAF delegation will also travel to Hoima to inspect Hoima City Stadium.

“CAF will continue to work closely with the three host nations, their governments and LOC structures to support delivery planning and ensure that preparations intensify for the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania 2027,” the African football governing body added.