Fresh off a record-breaking 2025 tournament in Morocco, the race to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is already in high gear.
This edition marks a historic turning point as the competition shifts from its traditional biennial format to a four-year cycle, a move approved by CAF last December to better align with the global football calendar.
Seeking to host for the first time since 1976, Ethiopia has formally submitted a bid. While the nation currently lacks a CAF-approved stadium, officials are banking on several massive infrastructure projects nearing completion to meet international standards.
South Africa is also exploring a powerhouse joint bid with Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho.
Leveraging the world-class infrastructure from the 2010 World Cup, this coalition offers a “ready-to-go” solution for CAF.
While not yet official, heavyweights Egypt and Morocco remain in the conversation as potential candidates following the commercial success of the 2025 edition, which saw revenues jump by 90%.
With Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania set to co-host in 2027, the 2028 decision will be pivotal for CAF as it navigates a tighter-than-usual one-year gap between tournaments.
