Kenya to receive AFCON27 flag in Morocco finals
By Kenneth Mwenda, January 18, 2026Kenya, together with Tanzania and Uganda, officially received the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) flag at the conclusion of the 2025 finals in Rabat, Morocco.
The handover marks the start of preparations for the 2027 tournament, which the three East African nations will co-host for the first time in AFCON history.
The ceremony followed Morocco’s successful hosting of AFCON 2025, where the home team won the trophy after a dominant campaign. Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, Salim Mvurya, announced the news on X on Sunday, January 18, 2026, saying the country is ready to deliver a successful tournament.
“I am ably represented by Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi in Morocco to receive the #AFCON27 baton on behalf of the Government of Kenya. Kenya is prepared and committed to deliver a successful tournament, as we demonstrate our growing potential in football development and showcase the East African region’s growing readiness in infrastructure, coordination, and hosting capacity,” Mvurya stated.
Principal Secretary Mwangi attended the ceremony and expressed confidence in the region’s ability to host AFCON 2027. In a video statement, he said:
“Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda are grateful to receive the flag today from CAF. That means immediately we shall be hosting AFCON in 2027. We have the capacity, we have what it takes both infrastructure-wise and in our teams. We welcome Africa and the world. We shall make it better than CHAN and, if possible, better than Morocco.”
East Africa prepares AFCON
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) selected Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda as joint hosts in September 2023, beating other bids. This makes the 2027 AFCON the first edition to be co-hosted by three countries, spreading the tournament across East Africa. CAF President Patrice Motsepe praised the decision and the hosts’ preparations.
Preparations in East Africa are gaining momentum. Kenya is renovating the Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani and upgrading Nyayo National Stadium. The new Talanta Sports City Stadium along Ngong Road will be completed in early 2026, with full operations expected soon after external works wrap up.
The Talanta Stadium will then be renamed Raila Odinga International Stadium, following President William Ruto’s approval.
Uganda is expanding Hoima Stadium and its international airport to handle the influx of teams and fans. Tanzania is investing in the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam. Officials from the three nations visited Morocco during the 2025 tournament to observe best practices in security and event management.
The qualifiers for AFCON 2027 will start in March 2026, with playoff matches scheduled for November. The finals will run from June 19 to July 18, 2027. As hosts, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania qualify automatically. Kenya and Uganda last competed in AFCON 2019, while Tanzania featured in 2019 and 2025.