CAF President Patrice Motsepe during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON CAF President Press Conference at Main Media Centre in Rabat, Morocco on 17 January 2026 ©Weam Mostafa/BackpagePix
Saturday Feb 14, 2026. 13:40
Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Dr Patrice Motsepe has announced that the 2027 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) will take place over June and July, switching the tournament from its usual slot over December and January.
The change was announced by the President at a press conference on Friday, which followed an executive meeting of CAF’s Executive Committee (EXCO), which was chaired by Motsepe.
This move brings the continental showpiece further in line with the football calendar, ensuring it will take place during the off-season.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino called for the timing of the tournament to be changed in 2021, citing that it was inconvenient for clubs, particularly in Europe, to release their African players in the middle of their respective campaigns.
“[This would mean] less disruption for so many leagues who have players of African nationality. A few years ago, no one cared if the Africa Cup of Nations was played in January and February – more or less,” said Infantino.
“Today it is becoming an issue because in January and February many leagues in Europe, in particular but also in other parts of the world where African players are playing, are in the middle of their competition and they have to release these players.”
At the 47th CAF Ordinary General Assembly in October 2025, Infantino highlighted that FIFA had poured USD 1 billion into African football through the FIFA Forward Programme since its inception in 2016, and the 55-year-old was also spotted with Motsepe at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
During the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, Motsepe announced that the tournament would be held every four years, much like the FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euros, starting in 2028 following the 2027 edition.
In Friday’s press conference, he confirmed that there would be no change to the host nations (Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda) for the upcoming edition despite concerns over delays relating to infrastructure, and hinted that the opening game would be played in Tanzania.
It is clear that African football continues to move towards conformity and alignment with the goals and objectives of FIFA, a move that could either prove beneficial or detrimental to the beautiful game on the continent.
Source: BBC
By Nic Gleeson