The race to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations is taking shape, with three official bids on the table from Ethiopia, Morocco and a joint South Africa-Botswana proposal. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed receiving the three bids, with Ethiopia seeking to host the continental showpiece for the first time since 1976. Ethiopia has hosted the AFCON three times, in 1962, 1968 and 1976, and is backing its latest bid with ongoing investments in sports infrastructure. ALSO READ: Rwanda drawn against Sudan in AFCON U23 2027 qualifiers However, Ethiopia’s bid could face questions over the availability of CAF-approved stadiums. The country had only one stadium approved by CAF for use last season, although construction is underway on a new international stadium and sports complex in Addis Ababa. Morocco, which hosted the most recent AFCON, is also in the running. The country’s modern stadiums, transport network and experience of hosting major international sporting events could make it a strong contender. The third proposal is a joint bid from South Africa and Botswana. South Africa has hosted the AFCON twice, in 1996 and 2013, while Botswana would stage the tournament for the first time if the bid is successful. The 2028 edition will be the first AFCON played under CAF’s new four-year cycle, following the 2027 tournament, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Beyond 2028, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have submitted a joint bid to host the 2032 edition, while CAF is also inviting bids for the 2036 tournament. CAF will now assess the proposals before selecting the host or co-hosts for the 2028 AFCON.
