Kenya reaffirms its commitment to stage successful AFCON 2027
By Joel Masibo, May 5, 2026Kenya has reaffirmed its ambition to deliver a historic continental football spectacle as preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 gather momentum, with just over a year to go before kickoff.
Speaking during the inaugural meeting of the National Steering Committee for the tournament on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, under the banner of Pamoja AFCON 2027, Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi expressed confidence in the country’s readiness to host one of Africa’s most prestigious sporting events.
AFCON preps
Mwangi, who represented Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, said Kenya is steadily positioning itself as a capable and reliable host for a world-class football competition. The high-level meeting brought together senior officials from various ministries, departments, and state agencies, all tasked with ensuring seamless coordination in delivering the tournament.
The session provided a comprehensive review of Kenya’s preparedness, including timelines for key milestones, compliance with Confederation of African Football (CAF) requirements, and strategies to enhance inter-agency collaboration. Discussions also focused on improving cross-border mobility, an essential factor given the regional nature of the 2027 tournament.
Mwangi noted that while Kenya has already met several the Confederation of African Football (CAF) requirements, there is still a need for tighter coordination among stakeholders to ensure all remaining deadlines are achieved efficiently. He emphasized that collaboration across government institutions will be central to delivering a successful and memorable tournament.
The PS pointed to Kenya’s recent hosting of the African Nations Championship 2024 (CHAN) as evidence of the country’s growing capacity to stage major continental competitions. According to him, the experience gained from CHAN will play a crucial role in refining preparations for AFCON 2027.
“With AFCON 2027, we aim to redefine the standards of hosting major tournaments on the continent,” Mwangi said, highlighting the government’s confidence in the structures already put in place.
Meeting expectations
He added that the foundation established through previous events, coupled with the commitment of all involved stakeholders, will be instrumental in delivering a landmark tournament that not only meets but exceeds expectations.
Kenya is set to co-host the 2027 edition alongside its East African neighbors, Tanzania and Uganda marking a historic moment for the region as it prepares to welcome the continent’s top football nations in what is expected to be a celebration of sport, culture, and unity.
The gathering happens shortly after CAF has announced the date timelines for the opening match and the final of the 2027 AFCON tournament.
In a statement on Saturday, May 2, 2026, the confederation stated that the opening match will be played on Saturday, June 19, 2027, and the final on Saturday, July 17, 2027.