The Confederation of African Football (CAF) in February this year sent an inspection team to assess the readiness of the three host nations: Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

Dr Christian Emeruwa (Head of Safety & Security) and Stephanie Totokra (Head of Infrastructure) were in all three aforementioned countries to conduct inspections and technical assessments covering pitch requirements, as well as safety, security and infrastructure readiness at key match and training venues earmarked for use during the tournament.

According to the report, none of the proposed competition stadiums from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda was ready.

“Following the CAF inspection missions conducted in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in February 2026, the overall assessment indicates that the AFCON PAMOJA 2027 infrastructure programme across the three host nations is currently in a construction, upgrading and corrective phase.

“The missions were primarily focused on sporting infrastructure (competition stadiums and training facilities) and Safety & Security aspects related to stadium operations. Other operational components of tournament delivery were not within the scope of this inspection and were therefore not assessed at this stage. At present, none of the proposed competition stadiums fully meets CAF AFCON standards, and several key infrastructures remain under development or require significant adjustments to reach operational readiness,” reads the executive summary of the report.

With the inspection team expected to return in August, the period between now and then is what the host nations have to put everything right.

“According to CAF’s delivery timeline, full operational readiness must be achieved by January 2027. The period March to August 2026, therefore, represents the decisive implementation phase. By the next CAF inspection milestone in August 2026, each host country will be expected to demonstrate readiness,” the report further adds.

The inspection teams believe that by August, the following areas should be cleared and fulfilled;

1. Confirmed government funding for infrastructure and operations.
2. Substantial completion of stadium construction and refurbishment works, with a minimum of 80% completion where applicable, to allow for installation, testing, and operational readiness activities.
3. Installation, integration and commissioning of critical stadium systems, including floodlighting, safety and security infrastructure, communication systems, and emergency management systems.
4. Upgrading and certification of all designated training facilities to meet CAF AFCON minimum technical, safety, and operational standards.
5. Demonstrable progress on supporting infrastructure, including access roads, traffic circulation plans, utilities, power redundancy systems, and perimeter security installations around competition venues.
6. Confirmation of airport operational readiness, including arrival/departure handling capacity, VIP and team processing procedures, and coordination with immigration and customs authorities.
7. Confirmation of sufficient hotel accommodation capacity meeting CAF requirements for teams, officials, media, commercial partners and other tournament stakeholders.
8. Establishment and confirmation of a common visa facilitation framework across the three host countries to ensure smooth and timely entry for all accredited tournament stakeholders.

Below is the breakdown of the report for each of the three host nations

KENYA

As of February 2026, none of the proposed competition stadiums in Kenya fully meets CAF Category 4 requirements. Kenya’s AFCON 2027 infrastructure programme is currently in a mixed phase of construction, upgrading and operational adjustments.

• Moi International Sports Centre – Kasarani, an existing stadium, is undergoing major upgrading works.
• Talanta Sports Complex, a new stadium, is currently under construction.
• Nyayo National Stadium, an existing stadium with limited feasibility as a competition venue.

Moi International Sports Centre- Kasarani Status

The upgrade scope includes:

• Reconfiguration of spectator circulation and segregation;
• Development of hospitality areas (VVIP, VIP and skyboxes);
• Relocation and restructuring of the Venue Operations Centre (VOC);
• Reconstruction of the competition pitch, including drainage and irrigation systems;
• Installation of a new lighting system compliant with 3000 lux broadcast standards;
• Improvement of safety and security systems, including CCTV, access control and fire detection;
• Upgrading of media facilities, including the press conference room and media centre.
• The CAF inspection team believes that while several upgrade works have already commenced, the overall scope of intervention remains extensive, requiring sustained progress to maintain alignment with the AFCON delivery timeline.

Talanta Stadium

• Structural completion reaching at least 80%, physically verified.
• CAF validation of functional zoning, including spectator flows, team areas, media areas and VOC location.
• Integration of critical systems within the construction programme (lighting, power redundancy, security).
• Contractual confirmation of procurement for all major technical systems.
• According to the report, the project represents a key component of Kenya’s AFCON hosting strategy. However, the stadium remains exposed to risks typically associated with large new-build projects.

Nyayo National Stadium

According to the report, the stadium in its current state doesn’t meet CAF Category 4 requirements and no detailed renovation master plan was submitted.

At this stage, the stadium may more realistically be considered as a training ground.

Kenya’s Training Infrastructure

The training sites include: Kasarani Annexes, Ulinzi and Police Sacco, all within Nairobi City.

The current stand is;

• Lighting certification ≥500 luxury
• Rehabilitated pitches with drainage and irrigation systems
• ⁠Operational pitch maintenance equipment storage facilities.

Newly developed training sites demonstrating:

• Sports Academy 1 and 2 completed with growing pitches
• Talanta Annexes 1–3 reaching ≥60% construction progress.
• Consolidation of a realistic and executable training site portfolio, removing immature or non-mobilised projects.

TANZANIA

Tanzania stands out from the three host nations according to the inspection report, presenting a more advanced structural position. However, its hosting model introduces additional operational complexity due to three geographical clusters in Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Arusha.

“While this configuration provides geographic balance, it increases the need for strong coordination mechanisms and reliable supporting infrastructure across the different host locations,” the report suggests.

Benjamin Mkapa Stadium

The stadium requires major upgrading works in order to meet AFCON competition requirements.

Key upgrades include:

• Full pitch reconstruction and agronomic stabilisation;
• Upgrade of stadium lighting to ≥2500 lux;
• Installation of power redundancy systems;
• Development of hospitality infrastructure (lounges, quality of VIP and VVIP seats etc.)
• Improvement of spectator flow segregation.
• Integration of safety and security systems.

Samia Suluhu Stadium

Samia Suluhu Stadium is currently the most advanced stadium project within Tanzania’s competition portfolio, according to the report.

Remaining risks relate primarily to the installation and commissioning of critical operational systems, including:

• Installation and certification of stadium lighting;
• Completion of power redundancy systems;
• Installation of safety and security infrastructure;
• Broadcast and operational systems integration.

Fumba Stadium

Fumba Stadium is a new stadium currently under construction in Zanzibar.

Key exposure areas include:

• Spectator circulation design
• Segregation between different spectator categories.
• Early coordination of mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems, including lighting, power and safety infrastructure.

“Without early validation of these systems, late-stage structural adjustments may occur, potentially affecting the construction timeline,” the report states.

Amaan Stadium

By August 2026 the Tanzanian authorities must provide:

• A formal government decision on the stadium’s role within AFCON 2027
• If retained as a competition venue, a validated architectural redesign demonstrating CAF compliance
• Alternatively, reclassification of the stadium as a training facility, Training Infrastructure (expected level of completion >75%)

The August inspection will verify:

• Confirmation of the final portfolio of training sites across all clusters
• Lighting certification ≥500 lux
• Pitch rehabilitation and agronomic stabilisation programmes implemented.
• Availability of pitch maintenance equipment
• Operational dressing rooms and technical facilities

Supporting Infrastructure

The following supporting infrastructure elements must also demonstrate measurable progress:

• Access roads to the Arusha stadium under construction
• Corridor electrification and CCTV security coverage plans implemented
• Confirmed utility connections (water, electricity, drainage)
• Validated hotel accommodation capacity
• Airport logistics coordination and transport planning

UGANDA

As of February 2026, none of the proposed competition stadiums in Uganda fully meets CAF Category 4 requirements.

Uganda’s AFCON 2027 infrastructure programme is currently in a mixed phase of construction, upgrading and operational redesign.

Hoima City Stadium

A newly constructed stadium requiring operational redesign. Although the stadium structure is completed and operational, several major operational deficiencies were identified.

Key issues include:

• Absence of clear segregation between spectator categories;
• Cross-circulation between media, VIP, teams and general spectators;
• Non-compliant referee dressing rooms;
• Non-compliance of players’ dressing rooms;
• Media facilities below AFCON standards;
• Mixed zone incorrectly located within the competition area;
• Limited operational buffer space due to the stadium’s geographical location.
• Current position of the benches causing a major view obstruction from the stands.

Mandela National Stadium

According to CAF, Mandela National Stadium requires major upgrading works, indicating it currently presents major compliance gaps with CAF Category 4 requirements.

A large-scale upgrade project has been proposed, including:

• Partial demolition of the West Stand;
• structural expansion;
• roof replacement.

However, the initial 15-month construction timeline is incompatible with AFCON 2027 delivery requirements. CAF has therefore recommended revising the upgrade strategy to:

• Maximise use of the existing structural frame;
• Reduce construction duration to target completion by December 2026.

Akii Bua Stadium

The inspection team did not visit the stadium.

Training Infrastructure

CAF reveals that the training infrastructure across the clusters also shows uneven levels of
readiness, with several proposed sites requiring rehabilitation or development.

Training facilities across the Hoima and Kampala clusters remain particularly uneven. Several proposed sites are currently non-compliant with CAF training standards.

Key challenges include:

• Insufficient number of compliant training grounds in Hoima;
• Pitch rehabilitation requirements.
• Lighting installation and certification (≥500 lux);
• Completion of dressing rooms and technical facilities.

Supporting Infrastructure

In addition to stadium construction, Uganda’s delivery is also strongly dependent on supporting infrastructure, including airport readiness, hotel capacity and transport connectivity between host cities.

Several elements of the broader tournament ecosystem remain uncertain, particularly outside Kampala.

Key exposure areas include:

• Commissioning and operational readiness of Hoima Airport;
• Limited availability of high-category hotels in Hoima;
• Road connectivity between Kampala and Hoima;
• Validation of medical infrastructure and emergency services.

The CAF inspection team will return to the region in August and expects that the host nations will have worked on the areas of concern.

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