Combustion control apparatus for internal combustion engine

A combustion control apparatus for an internal combustion engine, including an exhaust gas purifier, and a control unit programmed to selectively implement a first combustion mode and a second combustion mode, the second combustion mode providing main combustion and preliminary combustion at or near compression top dead center prior to the main combustion, and starting the main combustion after the preliminary combustion is completed. The control unit is programmed to switch from the first combustion mode to the second combustion mode when a request to switch from the first combustion mode to the second combustion mode is made based on a condition of the exhaust gas purifier, and the engine continues to operate for a predetermined time or longer under condition enabling the second combustion mode.