Is the Confederation of African Football (CAF) quietly rethinking its plans for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations? A rumor circulating in recent days has sparked a lot of reactions on social media. According to the pro-Moroccan account Soccer212, the continental body has approached Morocco privately to ask if it would host the 2027 AFCON, which is officially awarded to the trio of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. If confirmed, this would be a major turnaround.
This rumor sharply contrasts with statements made by CAF president Patrice Motsepe earlier this year. At that time, the South African leader expressed complete confidence in the ability of the three East African countries to host the tournament on schedule. The 2027 edition is officially set for June 19 to July 17 and was meant to be a historic first for this region of the continent.
In response to repeated questions about the progress of preparations, Patrice Motsepe sought to reassure the public with a particularly firm tone. He stated: “I know the AFCON will take place here, so I don’t want to hear any more questions about whether the AFCON will be held in East Africa or if it will be relocated.” This stance seemed to close the door on any speculation about changing the host country.
However, the information circulating in recent days reignites speculation. Even though it remains unconfirmed by the CAF, it raises doubts about the actual state of preparations. Some observers believe that the reassuring public statements may hide more significant internal concerns, particularly regarding the adherence to the timeline for infrastructure and the overall organization of the event.
These questions are not entirely new. At the end of April, a significant CAF delegation visited Uganda to assess the progress of various projects. Several construction or renovation projects for stadiums were showing significant delays. Discussions also covered hotel infrastructure, transport networks, and the logistical arrangements essential for organizing such a large-scale competition.
After this visit, CAF representatives and those from the Kenya-Uganda-Tanzania trio agreed on a crucial deadline set for August. This date will allow for a new inspection to concretely measure the progress of the work and determine if the commitments made by the host countries are being met. This meeting is now considered decisive for the future of the tournament.
With less than a month until this deadline, the circulation of this new rumor adds to the uncertainty. Many are wondering if the CAF already has a backup plan in case of major delays. The idea of turning to Morocco, which already has modern infrastructure after significant investments, seems like a logical hypothesis for some observers, even if no official confirmation supports it.
Behind the scenes, the CAF is begging Morocco to host the 2027 AFCON… Just so you know. pic.twitter.com/mvim7GtSv3
— SOCCER212 (@SCCR_212) July 17, 2026
However, a significant obstacle stands in the way of this possibility. A few weeks ago, the president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), Fouzi Lekjaa, clearly stated that his country no longer wished to host African competitions after the already scheduled events. His message was unambiguous: “From today, Morocco will no longer submit any bids to host African competitions, whatever they may be. If other countries wish to organize them, that’s up to them.”
These statements make this rumor even more surprising. If the CAF were to actually approach Morocco, it would need to convince Moroccan leaders to reverse a publicly expressed position. While we await any potential official clarifications, the organization of the 2027 AFCON remains officially entrusted to the Kenya-Uganda-Tanzania trio, while the verdict on the state of preparations is now eagerly anticipated during the inspection scheduled for August.
