FKF President Hussein Mohammed has confirmed Kenya’s plans to bid to host a major tournament in 2028. Photo/FKF Media

FKF have revealed plans to bid and host a major tournament in 2028 after CHAN 2024 and AFCON 2027, two tournaments Kenya is co-hosting alongside Uganda and Tanzania.

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has revealed plans to bid for another major international football tournament in 2028, building on lessons learned from hosting the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) and the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The ongoing CHAN 2024 has witnessed unprecedented success in terms of hype and filling of stadia – especially in Kenya, with new ideas like Fanzones implemented given the overwhelming demand for tickets- particularly for Kenyan matches.

Although CAF has sanctioned both Kenya and Tanzania over crowd control issues, there is optimism that the lessons learnt from CHAN 2024, which East Africa was granted to host as a test to gauge their readiness for AFCON 2027, will enable it to host a world class tournament come then.

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Now, FKF boss Hussein Mohammed has revealed Kenya has made significant progress in staging large-scale events, despite initial challenges during CHAN

“The last time Kenya hosted such a massive event was in 1987 during the All-Africa Games at Kasarani,” Mohammed told NTV last Monday responding to a question on the CAF sanctions.

“ We lacked institutional memory, and our young team of volunteers and administrators had to learn on the job. But with every match, things improved, and by the knockout stages the difference was clear,” Mohammed, who became FKF boss in December 2024, said.

He added that sending Kenyan personnel to observe international tournaments such as the 2022 Women’s AFCON in Morocco had already paid off, and the federation plans to continue exposing staff to global events including the Arab Cup, AFCON 2025 in Morocco, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The exposure, he says, will play a vital role in helping Kenya fully ready to host the 2027 AFCON, as well as another tournament in 2028 yet to be named.

“Kenya should be able to host a world-class AFCON in 2027. Beyond that, we are exploring the possibility of bringing another major international football event to the country in 2028. 

“Hosting such tournaments builds capacity, creates jobs, and helps establish Kenya as a football powerhouse,” he said.

The official also praised Kenyan fans for their support during CHAN 2024, where Harambee Stars advanced to the knockout stages of a major competition for the first time in 38 years.

“The collaboration from Kenyans was outstanding. The crowds were well managed, attendance was excellent, and the fan zones were packed. 

“We initially planned them only for the semi-finals and finals, but had to roll them out earlier because of the overwhelming demand,” he said.

Kenya will co-host AFCON 2027 with Uganda and Tanzania, marking the region’s first time staging the continent’s premier football competition. 

FKF says CHAN has provided a vital dress rehearsal, and the 2028 event would cement the country’s growing reputation as a hub for African football.