South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe have officially submitted a joint bid to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), in what could become one of the largest regional sporting collaborations on the continent.
The four Southern African nations are seeking to jointly stage Africa’s premier football tournament under a multi-country hosting arrangement increasingly encouraged by Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Under the proposed arrangement, South Africa is expected to host the majority of the matches due to its advanced sporting infrastructure, internationally recognized stadiums, and extensive experience in organizing major global tournaments, including the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The joint bid is being viewed as a strategic move to strengthen football development and regional cooperation across Southern Africa while reducing the financial burden of single-country hosting.
Sports analysts say the partnership could significantly boost tourism, infrastructure development, trade, and investment across the participating nations if successful.
South Africa’s existing world-class venues such as Soccer City, Moses Mabhida Stadium, and Cape Town Stadium are expected to form the backbone of the tournament infrastructure, while Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe would host selected matches and training facilities.
CAF has increasingly shown support for regional co-hosting models as a way of expanding access to major tournaments and encouraging broader continental participation in sports development.
The move mirrors trends seen in other international competitions, where neighboring countries collaborate to share costs, logistics, and economic benefits.
If approved, the 2028 AFCON would mark another major milestone for Southern African football and could further cement the region’s reputation as a capable destination for global sporting events.
The competition for hosting rights is expected to intensify in the coming months as other African countries and regional blocs prepare their own bids ahead of CAF’s final decision.
