The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has commenced internal discussions on the hosting rights for the 2028, 2032, and 2036 editions of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), signalling a major shift in how future hosts of the continent’s flagship tournament may be selected.
A high-ranking CAF source disclosed that the matter will feature prominently on the agenda of the CAF Executive Committee meeting scheduled for mid-next month, following recent adjustments to the AFCON calendar.
The development comes after the cancellation of bid processes for the 2029, 2031, 2033, and 2035 editions of the tournament, a move that has prompted CAF to reconsider its long-term hosting strategy.
According to information from within the federation, members of the Executive Committee are backing a proposal to invite bids for three consecutive AFCON tournaments — starting from 2028 and running through 2036 — rather than awarding hosting rights on a single-edition basis.
The approach is expected to offer greater planning certainty, improve infrastructure preparation, and align the tournament more effectively with the global football calendar.
Amid speculation that Morocco could be favoured for a future edition, a senior member of the CAF Executive Office cautioned against over-concentration of hosting rights in certain regions, stressing the importance of geographical balance.
He noted that North Africa hosted the 2019 AFCON in Egypt and is set to host the 2025 edition in Morocco, while East Africa will stage the 2027 tournament across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. West Africa, through Ivory Coast, hosted the 2021 edition, while Central Africa, represented by Cameroon, staged the 2023 tournament.
Based on this regional rotation, the source argued that Southern Africa should be strongly considered for the 2028 AFCON, provided national federations from the region submit formal and competitive bids.
The source emphasised that CAF remains committed to fairness and inclusivity in its hosting decisions, adding that the upcoming discussions will shape the future direction of the tournament for more than a decade.
The outcome of the Executive Committee meeting is expected to provide clarity on the bidding framework and timelines, setting the stage for what could be one of the most strategic hosting decisions in AFCON history.
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