Morocco, Ethiopia, South Africa-Botswana Submit Bids To Host AFCON 2028

The race to stage the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has gathered pace after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed it received three formal bids ahead of Thursday’s deadline.

Morocco, Ethiopia and a joint ticket from South Africa and Botswana have all declared their interest in hosting what will be a landmark edition of the continent’s flagship tournament.

AFCON 2028 will signal the start of a new chapter for African football. CAF President Patrice Motsepe announced during the most recent finals in Morocco that the competition will move from its traditional two-year cycle to a four-year format.

The change, he explained, is designed to ease pressure on players and national associations as the international calendar becomes increasingly congested.

According to Motsepe, the reform forms part of a broader overhaul of CAF’s competitions. It will also usher in an African Nations League, set to begin in 2029, modelled on Europe’s format.

Morocco, fresh from hosting the 2025-2026 tournament, is hoping to build on the widespread praise it received for its organisation and facilities.

The North Africans staged the competition between December 2025 and January 2026 and were widely commended for raising infrastructure standards across stadiums, transport and fan experience.

Ethiopia’s bid carries historical weight. One of the four nations that featured at the inaugural tournament in 1957, the East African side has hosted AFCON three times. They lifted their only continental title on home soil in 1962 and later staged the finals again in 1968 and 1976.

South Africa, who hosted in 1996 and 2013, are seeking a return as hosts through a joint proposal with Botswana. While Bafana Bafana have prior experience in staging the event, Botswana would be first-time hosts if the bid succeeds.

Before attention turns fully to 2028, there is still one final edition under the current biennial system. The 2027 tournament will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, marking a significant moment for East African football.