South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe have submitted a joint bid to co-host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations finals. The Southern African nations announced their intention to bring the prestigious continental tournament to the region, marking a concerted effort to showcase the sub-continent's readiness for a major international sporting event. This collaborative effort marks a significant move, as the last three editions of the Africa Cup of Nations have been staged in central, west, and northern Africa, making this bid a strategic push to diversify the tournament's geographical footprint. The bid aims to show the region's capability to host a major international sporting event, noting its collective infrastructure and organizational prowess.
Co-Hosting Precedents
Further demonstrating the trend towards multi-nation tournaments, the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations finals are slated to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. This upcoming event sets a precedent for regional collaboration within African football, showing a growing acceptance of shared hosting responsibilities. This follows other examples of continent-wide sporting events sharing hosting duties. The 2020 edition of the European Championship was staged across 11 different countries, distributing the responsibilities and benefits of the major football event across the continent. Similarly, the 2007 Asian Cup was held jointly in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, showcasing a successful multi-nation approach in Asia. These instances highlight a growing precedent for shared hosting arrangements in international football competitions, indicating a global shift towards collaborative event management. The joint bid by South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe aligns with this global trend, aiming to leverage shared resources and expertise.
Southern Africa's Football History
Southern Africa has a rich history of hosting the Africa Cup of Nations, with South Africa having staged the tournament twice. The country first hosted the competition in 1996, and again in 2013, successfully managing the complexities of a continental championship on both occasions. These events provided significant experience in managing large-scale sporting spectacles within the region, establishing a strong foundation of expertise. Additionally, Angola previously hosted the Africa Cup of Nations in 2010, further demonstrating the southern African sub-continent's capacity to organize and deliver the continental football championship. These prior hosting experiences highlight the region's established infrastructure and organizational capabilities for major international tournaments, providing a strong basis for the current joint bid. The collective experience of these nations, particularly South Africa's two prior hosting duties and Angola's 2010 success, shows the region's readiness to once again welcome Africa's premier football event.
Bidder Confidence and Infrastructure
Botswana Football Association president Tariq Babitseng confirmed the joint bid had been submitted within the stipulated timeframe, emphasizing the careful planning involved. "We submitted on time to host the tournament in southern Africa," Babitseng stated, reflecting the collective determination of the four nations. He expressed confidence in the region's capabilities, citing existing infrastructure as a key strength for a successful event. "We have the transport routes and the infrastructure to host a successful tournament," Babitseng added, noting the logistical advantages and developed facilities available across the bidding countries. This assertion shows the bidding nations' belief in their collective ability to meet the organizational demands of a major continental competition, from stadium readiness to accommodation and transportation networks. The joint submission notes a coordinated effort among the four countries to present a unified and capable front to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), demonstrating their commitment to delivering a world-class tournament.
Quotes and Next Steps
If successful, the 2028 AFCON bid would mark the first time four countries jointly stage a single Africa Cup of Nations event, setting a new benchmark for multi-nation hosting within the continent. This follows a growing trend of multi-nation hosting in global football, with England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland also set to co-host the 2028 European Championship. This parallel development in Europe further illustrates the viability and benefits of shared hosting, providing a contemporary model for the Southern African bid. The decision on the host for the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations will be keenly awaited, as the region hopes to make history by bringing the prestigious tournament to four nations simultaneously.
