Botswana Pulls Out of 2028 AFCON Bid Over Government Funding Concerns

Posted : 28 September 2026

Botswana has withdrawn from the proposed joint bid with South Africa and Zimbabwe to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The decision came after the Botswana government declined to provide the financial guarantee needed to support the country’s participation in the bid.

Botswana’s withdrawal means South Africa and Zimbabwe will continue with their two-country proposal. Botswana did not submit its required bidding documents before CAF’s September 14 deadline, while the two remaining partners reportedly completed their submissions.

According to Botswana newspaper Mmegi, the government cited financial constraints in its decision not to back the bid. The Botswana Football Association had previously maintained that a financial guarantee was not required at that stage of the process, but the government’s position prevented the country from completing its participation.

The development ends Botswana’s latest attempt to bring the continent’s biggest national-team tournament to the country. The nation had also pursued the 2027 AFCON but was unsuccessful after CAF awarded the hosting rights to Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

The original southern African proposal would have involved venues in Botswana, including Gaborone and Francistown. The arrangement would have allowed Botswana to share hosting responsibilities with its regional neighbours while benefiting from South Africa and Zimbabwe’s existing football infrastructure.

CAF opened the bidding process for the 2028, 2032 and 2036 AFCON editions in July 2026. The governing body said its bidding framework was developed with support from independent advisers and technical, financial and legal experts to provide a structured process for assessing potential hosts.

Botswana’s withdrawal does not end the southern African proposal. South Africa and Zimbabwe will now continue their joint bid without Botswana as CAF assesses the submitted proposals.

For Botswana, the decision also reflects the financial demands involved in hosting a major continental tournament. Mmegi reported that the government’s decision came amid concerns over available funds and other national priorities.

CAF is expected to assess the competing submissions before announcing the host or hosts of the 2028 tournament. The evaluation will be conducted under the organisation’s established bidding framework.

Botswana Pulls Out of 2028 AFCON Bid Over Government Funding Concerns

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