CAF president Motsepe rules out Tanzania being replaced as 2027 AFCON co-host

CAF president Dr Patrice Motsepe has ruled out any possibility of Tanzania being replaced as one of the hosts of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations despite concerns over the country's preparations.

Tanzania will stage the tournament alongside Kenya and Uganda, in what will be the first three-country hosting arrangement in AFCON history.

There have been questions over whether some of Tanzania's infrastructure will be completed in time for the tournament, but Motsepe said CAF remained fully committed to the three-nation plan.

The South African administrator revealed that he had previously been advised that Tanzania could struggle to meet the requirements and that alternative plans should be considered.

However, he rejected that suggestion.

“From CAF’s perspective and personally, there is never going to be Plan B or Plan C, and never will there be,” Motsepe said while speaking to the media on Thursday following a visit to Tanzania.

Motsepe also urged caution over reports questioning Tanzania's readiness, saying some of the information being circulated was inaccurate.

He acknowledged that certain aspects of the preparations needed to be accelerated but said CAF would work closely with the Tanzanian authorities and other stakeholders to ensure the required facilities are delivered.

“We have to work together with Tanzania to make sure that whatever areas need to be accelerated, we accelerate them and make sure that we are ready for a successful AFCON,” he said.

Motsepe said he had received detailed reports on the progress of preparations and remained confident that Tanzania could meet the requirements for hosting Africa's biggest football tournament.

CAF has deployed a 21-member team of experts across Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda to monitor preparations, with some members permanently based in each of the three host countries.

The delegation is assessing key areas including stadiums, training facilities, pitches and other tournament infrastructure.

Motsepe said the successful organisation of the tournament would depend on close cooperation between CAF, the three governments, national football associations and the local organising committees.

The CAF president is scheduled to return to Tanzania in January 2027 for a final assessment of the country's preparations.

The 2027 AFCON is scheduled to take place across Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, marking the first time the tournament will be jointly hosted by three countries.