Four countries jointly volunteer to organize AFCON 2028

South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe have applied to jointly host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations final, which would be a first for the continent if four countries host one event, although it would not be unprecedented.

Botswana Football Association president Tariq Babitseng confirmed that the bid was submitted on time and they are hopeful of acquiring the hosting rights.

While there is no official plan from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to rotate the tournament’s hosts, the last three editions have been held in Central, West and North Africa, and the 2027 finals will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in the east of the continent. The south may therefore feel that this is necessary.

“We have applied in time to host the tournament in southern Africa,” Babitseng told reporters in Harare, where he was elected the new president of the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA), the largest of CAF’s six zonal unions.

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“We have the transportation routes and infrastructure to host a successful tournament.”

South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe will co-host the 2027 Cricket World Cup next year.

While unusual, it would not be unprecedented for four countries to host a continental finals tournament.

The 2020 edition of the European Championship was held in 11 countries, with ⁠England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland set to co-host in ⁠2028. The 2007 Asian Cup was held in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

South Africa (1996 and 2013) and Angola (2010) are the only South African countries to have previously hosted the Cup of Nations.

Published on May 18, 2026