CAF Sets Date to Discuss AFCON Hosting Bids as Zimbabwe and South Africa Push for 2028 Tournament
By Milton Marima
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is set to deliberate on the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) hosting bids when its Executive Committee meets on Thursday, 22 October 2026, raising expectations for Zimbabwe and South Africa as they pursue a joint bid to host the continental showpiece.
CAF confirmed that its Executive Committee, chaired by president Patrice Motsepe, will discuss the AFCON bidding process and other matters relating to the competition. However, the organisation has not yet confirmed an official date for announcing the successful host or hosts.
Zimbabwe and South Africa are continuing with their joint proposal to host the 2028 edition following Botswana’s withdrawal from the original Southern African bid. Botswana pulled out after its government declined to provide the financial guarantees required to support its participation.
The Southern African bid faces competition from other interested nations, including Ethiopia, which officially submitted its proposal to host the 2028 tournament in August.
Zimbabwe’s hopes of co-hosting the tournament have also been affected by uncertainty surrounding CAF’s competition calendar. CAF president Patrice Motsepe recently indicated that the organisation was reviewing its decision to move AFCON to a four-year cycle, potentially affecting plans for the 2028 edition.
The 2027 AFCON is scheduled to take place in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from 19 June to 17 July 2027.
For Zimbabwe, securing the hosting rights alongside South Africa would provide an opportunity to bring Africa’s premier national-team football competition back to the country, while also placing pressure on local authorities to ensure that stadiums and other facilities meet CAF’s required standards.
The key development is that CAF will discuss the bidding process on 22 October, but a final announcement on the AFCON hosts has not yet been officially dated.
