Barely has the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations wrapped up, and the African Football Confederation (CAF) is already facing the tricky issue of the 2028 edition. As rumors swirl about an imminent announcement of the host country, three bids are reportedly on the table.
The CAF executive committee meeting set for Friday, February 13, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, is crucial for several decisions. According to insider Micky Jnr, the host country for the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations – the last edition before the switch to a quadrennial schedule – could be officially announced at this meeting.
So far, CAF has received three bids: Morocco, the South Africa-Botswana duo, and Ethiopia. The final announcement should clarify the future of this competition and kick off preparations for the next stage of African football.
Morocco, again?
Morocco’s presence among the candidates for hosting the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations might come as a surprise. In recent weeks, there has been real uncertainty surrounding Rabat’s intentions. The tensions and controversies linked to the 2025 final, along with rumors of a possible withdrawal from the 2026 Women’s Cup, understandably raised doubts about the Kingdom’s appetite for hosting another continental competition so soon.
Yet, Morocco remains a naturally credible candidate. Its modern infrastructure, recent organizational experience, and the momentum around the 2030 World Cup clearly work in its favor. The 2028 Africa Cup of Nations could even serve as a full-scale rehearsal before the global event.
Limited alternatives for CAF
Behind Morocco, South Africa is frequently mentioned. The country has adequate infrastructure but is held back by a complex economic context. Botswana, the bidding partner, still has more work to do to meet the required standards.
Ethiopia’s bid, bolder in nature, also faces serious challenges, particularly regarding approved stadiums and logistics.
The specter of a scheduling headache
Another hypothesis is circulating behind the scenes: the potential postponement of the 2027 edition to 2028 if preparations for the trio of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania fall behind schedule. This scenario brings back familiar memories from recent African football, reminiscent of the 2019 edition, when Cameroon was replaced at the last minute by Egypt, which then hosted the 2021 edition.
The 2028 Africa Cup of Nations is shaping up to be a sensitive issue for CAF, facing a complex balance between political imperatives, economic constraints, and organizational realities.
