Rabat – Botswana has officially withdrawn from the joint bid with South Africa and Zimbabwe to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), leaving the two remaining countries to continue the hosting process with the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
According to Botswana newspaper Mmegi, the decision came after the government declined to provide the financial guarantee required to support the country’s participation in the bid.
The report linked the decision to financial constraints and the government’s view that hosting the continental tournament is not currently among its priorities. As a result, Botswana did not submit the required bidding documents before the September 14, 2026 deadline, unlike South Africa and Zimbabwe.
The Botswana Football Association had previously taken a different position, arguing that the financial guarantee was not mandatory at the initial stage of the bidding process. However, the government’s decision ultimately brought an end to the three-country project.
The original proposal included plans to distribute matches between Gaborone and Francistown. The bid also sought to make use of Francistown’s existing stadium infrastructure while renovation work was underway at the National Stadium in Gaborone, a plan that could have helped reduce travel costs.
Botswana’s withdrawal represents another setback for the country’s ambitions to host Africa’s biggest football tournament. The country had previously expressed interest in hosting the 2027 AFCON before CAF awarded the tournament to the joint bid from Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
With Botswana no longer part of the proposal, South Africa and Zimbabwe will now continue their bid without their former partner. CAF will ultimately decide which country or joint bid will host the 2028 edition, with further developments expected regarding the ability of the remaining two countries to complete the process.
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