Botswana has officially pulled out of the three-nation bid to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations, ending the country's partnership with South Africa and Zimbabwe in what has become a significant blow to the joint campaign.

According to Botswana's Mmegi newspaper, as reported by Morocco World News, the government declined to provide the financial guarantee required to participate in the hosting bid. Officials cited both financial constraints and the view that staging the continental tournament is not a current government priority.

The withdrawal had a procedural consequence: Botswana failed to submit the required bidding documents before the September 14, 2026 deadline — a step that South Africa and Zimbabwe completed without their former partner.

A disagreement between the FA and government

The Botswana Football Association had taken a different stance ahead of the decision, arguing that a financial guarantee was not compulsory at the initial stage of the bidding process. Despite that position, the government's refusal effectively ended Botswana's role in the project.

The original joint bid had envisioned spreading matches across Gaborone and Francistown. Part of the appeal was Francistown's existing stadium capacity, which could have offset costs while renovation work proceeded at the National Stadium in Gaborone.

A second AFCON setback for Botswana

This is not the first time Botswana has seen its hosting ambitions fall short. The country had previously expressed interest in staging the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, before CAF awarded that edition to the joint bid from Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

South Africa and Zimbabwe will now press ahead with their two-nation bid. CAF retains the authority to decide which country or partnership will host the 2028 edition, and further developments in the process are expected in the coming months.