With the curtain just down on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), attention is already shifting to who will stage the tournament two years from now. The scramble to host the 2028 finals is gaining momentum, with several countries moving early to position themselves to secure the rights to organize African football's flagship tournament.

Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania are set to co-host the 2027 edition. The 2028 tournament after that one will follow just a year later. That shortened timeline has encouraged prospective hosts to act quickly, particularly as AFCON enters a new era.

The 2028 competition will mark a significant turning point, becoming the first AFCON to be held under a four-year cycle rather than the traditional biennial format. The shift, approved by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in December last year, has reshaped hosting plans across the continent.

Ethiopia formally submitted a bid. The East African nation has a rich AFCON history, having hosted the tournament in 1962, 1968, and 1976, lifting the trophy on home soil in 1962. 

Ethiopia's bid, however, comes despite some challenges on the ground. Ethiopia currently lacks a CAF-approved stadium, forcing its national team to play home matches abroad. Officials are understood to be relying on ongoing major stadium and infrastructure projects, some of which are believed to be nearing completion, to strengthen their case.

South Africa has also emerged as a serious contender. Reports indicate that the 2010 World Cup hosts are exploring a joint bid, potentially alongside other southern African countries, including Namibia, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Botswana.

Having previously hosted AFCON in 1996 and 2013, South Africa is widely seen as well-equipped, with several CAF-approved stadiums and solid supporting infrastructure. South African Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie previously said the country is following a broader strategy to attract major global sporting events.

Elsewhere, Morocco and Egypt have been mentioned as possible candidates. Morocco is fresh from successfully hosting the 2025 tournament, while Egypt remains the most frequent AFCON host. However, neither country has yet made its intentions official.

The growing interest reflects AFCON's rising profile. CAF described the 2025 edition as the most commercially successful in the competition's history, reporting a revenue increase of more than 90 percent. As the tournament's financial and sporting value continues to climb, so too does the competition to host it.

(Story compiled with assistance from wire reports)