Botswana FA President: "We Submitted a Joint Bid with South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe to Host AFCON 2028"

Tariq Babitseng, President of the Botswana Football Association, confirmed that South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe have submitted a joint bid to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations finals. This move is considered one of the most prominent collective bids presented to the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

In press statements, Babitseng said, "The bid was submitted on time and officially, and we hope to have the honor of hosting this edition of the continental tournament."

He added, "The goal of this joint proposal is to unite efforts among Southern African nations to develop football in the region and enhance sports infrastructure."

Babitseng continued, "There is significant coordination among the four federations, with some countries expected to host group stage matches, while South Africa will host the majority of the tournament's games."

He noted that this step is part of a broader vision to encourage regional cooperation within the COSAFA (Council of Southern Africa Football Associations) region, especially following incentives provided by CAF to promote the joint organization of tournaments by multiple countries.

It is worth noting that the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will be held in East Africa, co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. The 2028 edition is expected to be a transitional phase before the adoption of a system where the tournament is held every four years instead of two.