Zimbabwe joins regional bid to co-host AFCON 2028 with South Africa

Zimbabwe is among six southern African countries set to join South Africa in a joint bid to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations, according to Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie. The proposed regional bid will include Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Mozambique, in what could become a landmark multi-nation hosting arrangement for the continent’s biggest football tournament.

McKenzie said discussions will culminate in a key meeting in Harare later this month, where participating countries are expected to formalise their involvement.

“We are making a bid for the 2028 Afcon. We are doing it with Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Mozambique,” McKenzie said.

The meeting is expected to coincide with the COSAFA presidential elections scheduled for May 17, providing an opportunity for regional football leaders to align on the proposal.

A key requirement for the joint bid will be stadium readiness, with McKenzie warning that only countries with suitable infrastructure will be considered.

“We want to see their stadiums because we don’t want people telling us they are still going to build. At that meeting the final decision will be taken,” he said.

Zimbabwe currently faces challenges in this area, as it does not have a FIFA-approved stadium for international matches.

However, ongoing renovations at the National Sports Stadium could see the facility meet required standards in upcoming inspections. Sports infrastructure expert Farai Jere said hosting AFCON could accelerate development.

“A successful bid would push governments to fast-track stadium upgrades and improve sports facilities across the region,” he noted.

McKenzie made it clear that South Africa is prepared to proceed independently if the regional partnership does not meet requirements.

“We will go ahead with or without other countries if necessary,” he said, underscoring the competitive nature of AFCON hosting bids.

South Africa last hosted the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013 and remains one of the continent’s most experienced hosts.

Football analysts say a joint bid could promote regional cooperation and economic benefits through tourism, infrastructure development, and job creation. Sports economist Brighton Chiwara said,

“A multi-country AFCON would spread the benefits across borders while showcasing Southern Africa as a unified sporting destination.”

With the bidding process expected to intensify in the coming months, the Harare meeting will be critical in determining whether the regional bloc can present a viable joint proposal. If successful, the bid could mark the first time Southern African nations co-host AFCON on such a scale, potentially reshaping how major tournaments are organised on the continent.

AFCON 2028 bid