Members of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive Committee will converge in East Africa ahead of the CAF Executive Committee (EXCO) meeting scheduled for Friday, 13 February 2026, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The meeting will be chaired by CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe.
Beyond routine deliberations, the EXCO meeting in Tanzania marks an important moment in East Africa’s countdown to hosting the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027, which will be jointly staged by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
CAF leadership will also get the opportunity to see, firsthand, the progress Tanzania has made in developing its sports infrastructure — a factor that could play a key role in future decisions around hosting major continental and international tournaments.
Is East Africa ready for AFCON 2027?
There were scenes of wild celebration on 27 September 2023 when CAF confirmed that Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda had won the rights to host the 2027 AFCON.
Fast forward to today, and despite successfully staging the African Nations Championship (CHAN), questions remain about whether the three countries are fully prepared to meet the modern demands of hosting Africa’s biggest football tournament.
These concerns are amplified by the benchmark set by Morocco, the hosts of AFCON 2025, who have raised the bar with world-class stadiums, efficient transport systems, top-tier hotels and overall tournament readiness.
AFCON comes with a heavy burden. Having stadiums under construction in cities such as Nairobi, Kampala and Dar es Salaam, while important, is not enough on its own. Transport networks, security systems, training facilities and fan services must all meet CAF’s expected standards.
Hosting a tournament of this scale requires integrated infrastructure — seamless mobility, adequate accommodation, medical services, broadcast capacity and secure, efficient border control.
History also offers a cautionary reminder. Kenya lost the right to host AFCON in 1996 due to infrastructural and logistical shortcomings.
In Uganda, the renovated Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, is expected to be ready in time. However, persistent traffic congestion in Kampala remains a major concern.
Meanwhile, Hoima City Stadium was completed well ahead of schedule, a significant achievement. Still, limited accommodation options in Hoima and other logistical challenges highlight the work that remains.
