Kenya’s government announced on Friday that it will adopt the same “Morocco standards” in organizing the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), saying preparations are progressing according to a vision inspired by Morocco’s widely praised experience in hosting major continental football tournaments.
The statement was made by Principal Secretary in the State Department for Sports, Elijah Mwangi, as reported by Pulse Sports, following an inspection visit to the Raila Odinga International Stadium and several facilities within the wider sports complex. Mwangi stressed that Kenya is committed to applying the same standards used by Morocco during the organization of the Africa Cup of Nations.
He confirmed that construction of the 60,000-seat Raila Odinga International Stadium has surpassed 80 percent completion, describing this as a strong indicator that the project—the largest sports infrastructure development in Kenya since independence—will be delivered within the set timelines.
According to Pulse Sports, Mwangi said the progress provides the government with “adequate assurance” that Kenya will be ready to host the tournament, adding that receiving the Confederation of African Football (CAF) flag from Morocco constituted official confirmation of Kenya’s hosting rights.
The Kenyan official also revealed that CAF delegations and inspection teams are expected to visit the country soon to assess the readiness of stadiums and infrastructure, a key step ahead of the final preparation phase for the tournament, which Kenya will co-host alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
AFCON 2027 is expected to mark a significant milestone in African football history, as it will be staged in East Africa, with Kenya aiming to deliver a modern, well-organized edition that meets international standards and CAF requirements.
The Kenyan remarks come amid widespread international praise for Morocco’s recent hosting of the Africa Cup of Nations, which numerous global media reports described as the best edition in the tournament’s history in terms of organization and infrastructure quality.
Morocco successfully staged the competition using nine top-tier stadiums—an unprecedented number in AFCON history—giving the tournament a new level of professionalism and enhancing the global image of African football.
The Kingdom’s strong infrastructure, including modern highways, advanced transport networks, high-standard airports and hotels, as well as the use of cutting-edge broadcasting technologies for the first time, played a decisive role in the tournament’s success and ensured smooth movement for teams, fans, and media.
Several international reports concluded that Morocco set a “new benchmark” for hosting African tournaments, establishing a model to follow not only in stadium quality, but also in security, services, logistics, and hospitality. Against this backdrop, Kenya is seeking to draw on the Moroccan experience, viewing the adoption of “Morocco standards” as a strategic choice to deliver a successful and prestigious AFCON 2027.
