Zimbabwe and South Africa Face New 2028 AFCON Reality After Botswana Exit

• Botswana’s withdrawal has thrown the joint 2028 AFCON hosting bid into a new phase, with Zimbabwe and South Africa now continuing the process alone
• A key financial requirement has emerged as the reason behind Botswana’s decision, raising fresh questions about the country’s plans to host major tournaments
• Zimbabwe and South Africa have already submitted their 2028 AFCON bid documents, but CAF must still decide which proposal will secure the tournament

Botswana has withdrawn from the joint bid with Zimbabwe and South Africa to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), leaving the 2 remaining countries to continue with their proposal to the Confederation of African Football.

The development follows Botswana’s failure to submit the required bidding documents by the September 14, 2026 deadline. According to Mmegi, the government declined to provide the financial guarantee required for the country’s participation.

The newspaper reported that the government cited “a lack of funds” and indicated that hosting the continental tournament was “not among its current priorities”.

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The Botswana Football Association (BFA), however, had maintained that a financial guarantee was not required at that stage of the bidding process.

Zimbabwe and South Africa continue joint AFCON bid

South Africa and Zimbabwe proceeded with their submissions despite Botswana’s withdrawal. The original 3-country proposal had included Gaborone and Francistown as potential venues. Francistown’s existing stadium infrastructure was expected to be used, while renovation work was planned at the National Stadium in Gaborone.

The arrangement would have spread hosting responsibilities across the 3 neighbouring countries. CAF opened the bidding process for the 2028 tournament in July, alongside bids for the 2032 and 2036 editions.

CAF said its framework was designed to provide a “transparent, credible and ethical process” for selecting the hosts.

Botswana misses another AFCON opportunity

Botswana had previously pursued the right to host the 2027 AFCON but was unsuccessful. CAF awarded that tournament to the joint Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda bid.

With Botswana now out, Zimbabwe and South Africa will continue their 2028 proposal. CAF has said numerous bids have been submitted and that announcements will follow as the process progresses.

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The next stage will determine which bid ultimately secures the 2028 tournament.

AFCON 2027 team count clarified

Briefly News previously reported that CAF had moved to clear up confusion surrounding the number of teams expected at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

CAF confirmed that the tournament will feature 24 national teams, despite reports suggesting the competition could be expanded to 28 sides.

Source: Briefly News