Three reasons that could lead to postponement of 2027 AFCON

The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is facing possible postponement as concerns emerge over the readiness of the three co-hosting nations.

British media outlet The Guardian reports that the preparations of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, particularly in terms of infrastructure, are not up to standard or expectations as the tournament approaches.

It was noted that some members of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive Committee have expressed major concerns about the readiness of the countries, with the option of postponing the tournament to 2028 now on the table.

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Beyond infrastructure, there are concerns about ticketing and security measures around stadiums in the three co-hosting nations. These issues were evident when they hosted the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) for locally based players.

Security challenges during that competition have created another headache for authorities, who are determined to deliver a problem-free tournament.

The third challenge involves scheduling qualifiers within the international football calendar, given the packed nature of fixtures.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled for June to July 2026, along with the friendlies teams play to prepare for the tournament, makes it difficult to find space for AFCON qualification matches.

It is understood that CAF Executive Committee members are set to meet soon to assess the preparations of the host nations before a decision will be made regarding the fate of the tournament.

SB/JE

Meanhwile, watch highlights of U20 match between Black Princesses vs South Africa