South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe Submit Joint Bid To Host AFCON 2028
South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe have officially submitted a joint bid to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), as the Southern African region seeks to bring the continent's biggest football tournament back to the region.
The bid was confirmed by Botswana Football Association (BFA) President and Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) President Tariq Babitseng, who expressed confidence in the region's ability to successfully organise the continental showpiece.
"We have submitted our bid and we are confident in our infrastructure and our capacity to host the tournament. We also share CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe's vision of giving every region in Africa the opportunity to stage AFCON," Babitseng said.
According to him, the joint proposal strengthens COSAFA's chances of securing the hosting rights, with the three neighbouring nations combining their football heritage, facilities and organisational experience.
South Africa previously hosted the Africa Cup of Nations in 1996 and became the first African nation to stage the FIFA World Cup in 2010. Botswana and Zimbabwe, meanwhile, hope the tournament would accelerate the development of football infrastructure and boost tourism in their countries.
The bid also reflects COSAFA's determination to return AFCON to Southern Africa after several editions have been hosted in other parts of the continent.
CAF is expected to evaluate competing bids based on key requirements, including stadium quality, training facilities, accommodation, transport infrastructure and overall readiness to host the tournament.
If successful, the joint bid would mark AFCON's return to Southern Africa and provide a significant economic and sporting boost for the three countries while promoting football development across the region.
The bid was confirmed by Botswana Football Association (BFA) President and Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) President Tariq Babitseng, who expressed confidence in the region's ability to successfully organise the continental showpiece.
"We have submitted our bid and we are confident in our infrastructure and our capacity to host the tournament. We also share CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe's vision of giving every region in Africa the opportunity to stage AFCON," Babitseng said.
According to him, the joint proposal strengthens COSAFA's chances of securing the hosting rights, with the three neighbouring nations combining their football heritage, facilities and organisational experience.
South Africa previously hosted the Africa Cup of Nations in 1996 and became the first African nation to stage the FIFA World Cup in 2010. Botswana and Zimbabwe, meanwhile, hope the tournament would accelerate the development of football infrastructure and boost tourism in their countries.
The bid also reflects COSAFA's determination to return AFCON to Southern Africa after several editions have been hosted in other parts of the continent.
CAF is expected to evaluate competing bids based on key requirements, including stadium quality, training facilities, accommodation, transport infrastructure and overall readiness to host the tournament.
If successful, the joint bid would mark AFCON's return to Southern Africa and provide a significant economic and sporting boost for the three countries while promoting football development across the region.
