Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso -- three nations governed by military regimes -- have submitted a joint bid to host the 2032 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The bid was discussed in a meeting between officials from the Malian Football Federation and Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe in New York.
The Malian federation stated that the meeting with CAF signifies a critical phase in the bidding process, allowing the three member associations to follow CAF's regulations for awarding the 2032 AFCON. The federations are committed to preparing a robust and credible bid that reflects a new vision for African football.
Burkina Faso hosted the AFCON in 1998 and Mali in 2002. Niger has yet to host the biennial tournament. Mali has five CAF-approved stadiums, Burkina Faso secured approval for its main stadium in Ouagadougou in 2025, and Niger is working to bring its General Seyni Kountche Stadium up to standard after being barred from hosting international matches since 2022.
The next AFCON will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda from June 19 to July 17, 2027. This joint bid by Sahel nations highlights their determination to bring major international sporting events to the region despite ongoing security challenges from jihadist groups.
