Bids
Confirmed bids
The following nations confirmed their bid to host between 2028 and 2036:
Ethiopia – On 2 January 2026, the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) confirmed it has submitted an official bid to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). [4] Despite not having any CAF-approved stadiums, Minister of Culture and Sports, Kejela Merdasa, wants to build six stadiums in the country to host the AFCON in 2029 or 2031. [5] Ethiopia has previously hosted AFCON in 1962, 1968 and 1976. [6]
Botswana, 
Namibia & 
South Africa (BONASA 2028) – In January 2026, Botswana and South Africa announced a joint bid to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations. The project was unveiled during a meeting of the CAF Executive Committee in Rabat, Morocco, where key discussions were underway on future African competitions. South Africa has hosted it twice in 1996 and 2013. Botswana and Namibia, however, have never hosted it. [7] [8]
Proposed bids
Prior to the switch to every four years, these nations confirmed or expressed interest in bidding to host between 2029 and 2035:
Egypt – On 30 December 2025, Egypt's Mohamed El-Shazly, spokesperson for the Ministry of Youth and Sports, announced a potential application to the Confederation of African Football for the 2028 edition. [9]
Angola – After speaking to the local media in 2023, the president of Angola João Lourenço stated he is preparing to bid for the event. [10] The country hosted the AFCON in 2010.
Guinea & 
Mali [ citation needed ] — Both nations have different experiences in the past. Mali hosted the AFCON once in 2002 Africa Cup of Nations, and they also hosted the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in 1995. Guinea, on the other hand, has never hosted the AFCON and attempted to host it in 2025 but withdrew in 2022 due to preparation delays. Still, Guinea have hosted the U-17 level in 1999.
Morocco – Morocco is a leading candidate to host the Africa Cup of Nations 2028, following a meeting of the CAF Executive Committee to be held on Sunday, ahead of the AFCON final. This confidence is further strengthened by record commercial revenues, as sponsors have shown strong enthusiasm for the prospect of AFCON being staged in Morocco. Sources within CAF suggest that Morocco is seen as a “saviour” for the 2028 AFCON, given its infrastructure, experience, and readiness to host continental tournaments. The North African nation’s potential hosting role would not only ensure the smooth launch of the four-year cycle but also set a precedent for future editions under the revised format.
Rwanda [ citation needed ] – Rwanda has never hosted an AFCON in the past. Still, it has hosted U-20 level in 2009 and the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in 2011.
Senegal (potentially with 
Mauritania) – On 18 September 2024, The Director General of SOGIP (Société de Gestion des Infrastructures Publiques des pôles urbains de Diamniadio et du Lac Rose) confirmed that Senegal would officially submit its bid to host the 2029 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). [11] [12] However, on 18 October 2024, Senegal withdrew, citing a lack of infrastructure for the tournament. [13] In December 2025, Ahmed Yahya, president of the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania said he was interested in Mauritania potentially co-hosting with Senegal, after Guinea rejected a joint bid with Senegal. [14]
Interested bids
The following nations were not included on the list of bidding nations prior to the switch to every four years, but may still express interest to host in the new cycle:
Democratic Republic of the Congo & 
Republic of the Congo – After their fourth-place performance in 2023, the president of the DR Congo stated he is preparing to bid for the event. [15] The capital of the DR Congo, Kinshasa, recently hosted the 2023 Francophone Games, but the nation has never hosted AFCON. [16] In December 2024, Minister of Sports of DRC announced that a joint bid between both Congos is being worked on. [17]
Equatorial Guinea – During a visit from CAF president, Patrice Motsepe, the Equatorial Guinea government expressed their desire to bid for 2029 and 2031. [18] Equatorial Guinea have hosted AFCON twice, in 2012 with Gabon, and in 2015 by themselves after original hosts Morocco withdrew due to the Western African Ebola epidemic.
