By Joshua Otieno | March 30, 2026
Nairobi, Kenya — The Confederation of African Football has issued a warning to Kenya over its preparedness to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), citing delays in infrastructure and financial commitments.
A technical inspection conducted in February 2026 found that none of Kenya’s proposed stadiums currently meet the required Category 4 standards, placing the joint “Pamoja” bid with Tanzania and Uganda under pressure.
Financial Pressure Mounts
CAF has called for the immediate payment of the $30 million (KSh 3.9 billion) hosting fee. While Tanzania and Uganda have reportedly completed their payments, Kenya’s delay has raised concerns over its hosting status.
Officials indicated that failure to meet the requirement could result in some matches being reassigned to Dar es Salaam or Kampala.
Stadium Concerns Highlighted
Inspectors identified several gaps in key venues, including the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani, which requires major upgrades to drainage, irrigation systems and floodlighting.
The under-construction Talanta Sports City must reach at least 80 per cent completion by August 2026, with concerns raised over crowd management systems and the absence of a venue operations centre.
Nyayo National Stadium was also flagged as currently unfit for matches and may only serve as a training facility unless improvements are undertaken.
Strict Deadlines Issued
Kenya has been given 90 days to submit updated technical plans and a clear construction timeline. Additionally, host nations have been directed to establish a unified AFCON visa system by late 2026 to facilitate travel for fans.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe is expected to visit Nairobi in May to assess progress.
CAF has indicated that all infrastructure must be completed and tested at least six months before the tournament, warning that failure to meet the requirements could affect Kenya’s hosting role.
