NEXT year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) could face postponement to 2028 amid growing concerns over preparedness, according to various reports. CAF’s Executive Committee (ExCo) is expected to discuss the proposal when it meets in Dar es Salaam today..

Concerns over the infrastructural readiness of East African co-hosts Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda have reportedly prompted the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to consider a proposal that could see the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations delayed or rescheduled.

The potential shift forms part of a broader restructuring within CAF. High on the agenda is Morocco’s expected withdrawal as host of next month’s Women’s AFCON, alongside the implementation of President Patrice Motsepe’s December directive to move the flagship men’s tournament to a four-year cycle starting in 2028.

Under the proposed restructuring plan, the 2027 tournament originally awarded to East Africa could be repositioned to align with the updated calendar. One scenario under discussion involves bringing the 2029 edition back to 2028 to maintain the new four-year rhythm.

Multiple sources within the CAF Executive Committee have reportedly expressed serious doubts about the pace of development in the three host nations. The primary concern centres on whether they can deliver the infrastructure required to stage a 24-team tournament spread across 10 cities.

Operational challenges experienced during last August’s Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) continue to cast a shadow over the “Pamoja” bid. Reported shortcomings in ticketing systems and security protocols have raised questions about the region’s organisational capacity.

These logistical concerns have fuelled scepticism among some officials about whether Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda can scale up operations in time to meet the significantly larger demands of a full AFCON tournament.

Beyond infrastructure, a potential scheduling crisis is also threatening the 2027 window. With up to 10 African nations potentially participating in this year’s FIFA World Cup, the international calendar is expected to be heavily congested.

Such congestion could leave limited space for the mandatory AFCON qualification rounds, creating a timeline that many believe may prove difficult to sustain. While speculation continues, CAF has maintained a strict “no comment” stance on the matter.

The ripple effects of any postponement would be felt across the continent. A delay could affect plans for a 2028 tournament - a slot reportedly being eyed by Ethiopia and a joint South Africa-Botswana bid.

Scrapping 2028 could also pave the way for CAF to introduce the proposed African Nations League in 2029, a new competition designed to modernise the continental calendar and potentially replace the biennial AFCON and CHAN as key revenue drivers.

Despite the mounting speculation, Motsepe (pictured) last month insisted that the 2027 tournament would proceed as scheduled.

“I have a duty to develop football all over Africa. I cannot have competitions only in those four countries where you have the infrastructure. You have got to create opportunities for other countries to build infrastructure as well,” he said.

Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania won the joint bid to host the 2027 AFCON in September 2023, defeating strong competition from Senegal and Botswana. Preparations are already underway across the three nations.

In Kenya, the Talanta Sports Complex is nearing completion, while Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums have been closed for renovations.

Tanzania has begun renovations at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, while construction continues on the 60,000-seater Samia Suluhu Hassan Stadium.

In Uganda, President Yoweri Museveni last year presided over the opening of the 20,000-seater Hoima City Stadium, which has been earmarked as one of the tournament venues.