AFCON 2027 preparations are entering a crucial stage in East Africa.
Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda have less than nine months to prepare for the tournament.
AFCON 2027 will run from June 19 to July 17, 2027. It will be the first Africa Cup of Nations hosted by three countries.
It will also bring AFCON back to East Africa for the first time since Ethiopia hosted the tournament in 1976. Yapıştırılan metin
Al Jazeera reported that a Confederation of African Football (CAF) delegation recently inspected facilities in all three countries.
The inspection covered stadiums, training grounds, hotels and airports. Officials also examined transport, security, media and other infrastructure. Yapıştırılan metin
Kenya steps up AFCON 2027 preparations
Kenya is working on several major projects.
The biggest is the new Talanta Sports International Stadium in Nairobi.
The stadium will have a capacity of 60,000. It is planned as Kenya’s main AFCON venue.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe recently visited the stadium. He said he was impressed by the progress.
However, work is still continuing at Kasarani Stadium. Yapıştırılan metin
Kenya also needs training grounds and other facilities.
Nicholus Musonye, chairman of Kenya’s AFCON 2027 Local Organising Committee, said the country was working on the remaining requirements.
He said work on the Kasarani pitch should finish by the end of October. The venue is expected to be ready for handover in December. Yapıştırılan metin
Still, concerns remain over some training facilities.
Football fan Kelvin Kimaru told Al Jazeera that some training grounds were not yet ready.
Other sporting officials also pointed to unfinished work at Nyayo Stadium and Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret. Yapıştırılan metin
Tanzania says stadiums are over 80% complete
Tanzania is also accelerating its AFCON 2027 preparations.
Neema Msitha, head of Tanzania’s Local Organising Committee, said stadiums were more than 80 percent complete on average.
They are expected to be ready for handover to CAF in January.
Meanwhile, training facilities were about 75 percent complete. Five training facilities are being prepared in each host location. Yapıştırılan metin
The government has also pushed for faster construction.
In August, Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba ordered work on training grounds to speed up.
In addition, road projects linked to the tournament are being developed. Yapıştırılan metin
Transport preparations include regional airlines and Air Tanzania. Ferry services between Dar-es-Salaam and Zanzibar are also part of the plans.
Uganda targets end of 2026
Uganda is working towards a year-end deadline.
Patrick Ogwel, a CAF infrastructure monitoring officer, told Al Jazeera that infrastructure work should be ready by December 31.
Hoima City Stadium has already been completed and commissioned.
Meanwhile, Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira is expected to be completed and commissioned by December. Yapıştırılan metin
Uganda plans to use three main stadiums. They are Akii-Bua, Hoima City Stadium and Mandela National Stadium.
Officials also expect 10 of the country’s 12 training facilities to be ready by the end of 2026.
However, some projects are facing pressure.
On September 24, Sports Minister Peter Ogwang ordered faster work at several training facilities. Yapıştırılan metin
Hosts prepare for more than football
Completing stadiums is only part of the challenge.
CAF must also assess security, broadcasting and media facilities.
Transport and hospitality services must also be ready for teams and supporters. Yapıştırılan metin
The three countries already have experience working together on a major football tournament.
They jointly hosted the 2024 African Nations Championship.
However, AFCON 2027 will be a bigger event. A total of 24 national teams will compete across the three countries for almost a month. Yapıştırılan metin
The coming months will therefore be important for AFCON 2027 preparations.
Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda must now complete their projects and prepare them for tournament operations.