Morocco is weighing up a potential bid to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations, reports suggest, as the North African nation continues to position itself as one of the continent’s leading destinations for major football events.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) recently confirmed that AFCON will switch to a four-year cycle beginning in 2028, giving added significance to the next host, with the tournament set to be the first staged under the revised calendar.
Morocco is currently staging the 2025 AFCON, a competition that has earned widespread acclaim from teams, players and supporters alike for its seamless organization, world-class stadiums and efficient transport systems.
The ongoing tournament has further underlined the country’s growing reputation for successfully delivering large-scale sporting events.
AFCON 2025 matches are being played across a range of upgraded venues, many of which form part of a broader national stadium modernization programme. Those investments reflect a long-term vision that extends well beyond the current tournament.
At the heart of that strategy is the Hassan II Stadium, due for completion in 2028. The Casablanca-based arena is projected to accommodate up to 115,000 spectators, which would make it the largest football stadium in the world.
Morocco’s ambitions also stretch beyond stadium development. In recent years, the country has significantly expanded its transport and tourism infrastructure, modernising airports, extending high-speed rail networks and investing heavily in hotels and hospitality, particularly in cities such as Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech and Tangier.
“It’s not dreaming, we have legitimate ambitions,” Moroccan football federation president Fouzi Lekjaa told L’Équipe.
While no formal announcement has been made, multiple reports indicate that Morocco is seriously considering submitting a bid for AFCON 2028.
The race to host the tournament is expected to be competitive. South Africa, Egypt and potentially Algeria are all viewed as capable candidates, while CAF’s rotation principles could also influence the final decision.
AFCON 2027 has already been awarded to a joint bid from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The 2028 edition, confirmed only recently after 2029 had previously been considered the likely option, will be the last tournament before the competition fully adopts its four-year cycle.
CAF is expected to outline the bidding process after the conclusion of AFCON 2025, with Morocco’s performance as the current host likely to weigh heavily in the assessment.
