South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe have formally submitted a joint bid to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), in a move that could see the continent’s premier football competition return to Southern Africa after more than three decades.
The proposal was confirmed by Botswana Football Association (BFA) President and Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) President Tariq Babitseng, who said the three countries were confident in their collective ability to deliver a successful tournament.
“We have put in a bid and we are confident with the infrastructure we have, as well as the vision of CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe, who believes all regions should have the opportunity to host AFCON,” Babitseng said, according to Africa Soccer.
The joint submission reflects a broader regional ambition to strengthen cooperation through sport and position Southern Africa as a destination capable of hosting major continental events. The bid brings together three neighbouring countries with different levels of football infrastructure, but with shared experience in organising international sporting competitions.
South Africa has previously hosted AFCON, staging the 1996 tournament, which it won on home soil, and later becoming the first African nation to host the FIFA World Cup in 2010. The country’s established sporting facilities, transport networks and hospitality sector are expected to form a central component of the regional proposal.
Botswana and Zimbabwe, meanwhile, are seeking to use the bid as an opportunity to highlight ongoing investment in football development, stadium facilities and broader sports infrastructure. Zimbabwe has a long football tradition and has produced internationally recognised players, while Botswana has continued efforts to strengthen domestic football structures and expand participation.
The bid comes as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) continues to encourage greater geographical representation in hosting major competitions. Previous editions of AFCON have largely been hosted in North, West and Central Africa, with Southern Africa having had fewer opportunities in recent years.
CAF’s selection process is expected to consider several factors, including stadium capacity, training facilities, accommodation, transport infrastructure, security arrangements and overall organisational readiness. The final decision will depend on an assessment of all submitted proposals and their ability to meet the tournament’s technical requirements.
The proposed Southern African bid also carries potential economic significance. Major sporting events can create opportunities for tourism, employment, infrastructure upgrades and increased regional connectivity when supported by effective planning and long term investment.
The partnership between South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe reflects an increasingly common approach in African sports, where neighbouring countries collaborate to share resources, reduce hosting pressures and create wider regional benefits. Similar models have emerged in other continental competitions as African nations seek to maximise the developmental impact of international tournaments.
If successful, the 2028 AFCON would mark the tournament’s return to Southern Africa and provide a platform to showcase the region’s sporting heritage, cultural diversity and economic potential to audiences across Africa and beyond.
The bid will now enter CAF’s evaluation process alongside other potential proposals, with the final host selection expected to be determined after a detailed review of all candidate submissions.
