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South Africa to Bid for 2028 AFCON Hosting Rights.

South Africa is set to submit a formal bid to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie confirming the country’s intention to host the prestigious tournament. The bid will likely include neighboring countries Botswana and Namibia as co-hosts, aiming to leverage regional strengths and share costs.

This move aligns with the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) preference for shared hosting arrangements, promoting regional integration and reducing financial burdens on individual countries. South Africa has previously hosted AFCON in 1996 and 2013, showcasing its capabilities in staging major football events.

The proposed co-hosting model would see South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia pooling resources, infrastructure, and expertise to deliver a successful tournament. Stadiums like FNB, Moses Mabhida, and Cape Town Stadium are likely to be part of the bid, with the region’s existing infrastructure a key advantage.

Other countries, including Morocco, Egypt, and Ethiopia, have also expressed interest in hosting AFCON 2028, making the bidding process competitive. The deadline for submitting letters of interest is February 1, 2026, after which CAF will review bids and announce the host country.