South Africa to bid to host AFCON 2028

South Africa will formally bid to host Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2028.

Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie confirmed this in an interview with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) in the Moroccan capital, Rabat.

He said South Africa is preparing a bid in which it is looking to reportedly invite Namibia and Botswana to be co-hosts.

McKenzie says this is part of the Government of National Unity’s (GNU) plan to target international events to boost the country’s economy.

Next tournament

As a reminder, the next edition of AFCON will be held in 2027. It will be the 36th and last edition of the tournament organised by CAF as a biennial tournament.

It will be hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania from June to July 2027.

This edition of the tournament will be the first to be hosted by three countries, and the first in five decades to be organised in the CECAFA region, since it was hosted by Ethiopia in 1976.

CAF announced in December 2025 that AFCON would become a quadrennial tournament from 2028 onwards.

South Africa have hosted the tournament twice previously, in 2013 and 1996. Bafana Bafana emerged victorious at the latter tournament.

AFCON 2025

Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 has reached its final stage with two teams left to vie for the coveted title in Morocco.

The final between hosts Morocco and Senegal will take place on Sunday, 18 January at 21:00 (SA time).

The third-placed playoff will take place on Saturday, 17 January between Egypt and Nigeria at 18:00 (SA time).

Which side do you predict will win the final?

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