Libya set sights on hosting 2028 or 2032 Africa Cup of Nations

Libya has officially expressed its ambition to return to the centre of African football by bidding to host one of the upcoming editions of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The North African nation is reportedly preparing a bid to stage either the 2028 or 2032 AFCON as authorities look to showcase the country’s readiness to host one of the continent’s biggest sporting events.

Libyan officials believe hosting the tournament would represent a major opportunity to revive the country’s football image, improve infrastructure and strengthen its position within African football. The country is now working on plans aimed at convincing the Confederation of African Football (CAF) that it can successfully organise a modern AFCON tournament.

As part of its proposed bid, Libya plans to present eight stadiums across the country as potential venues for the competition. The availability of multiple stadiums will be a key part of the country’s application as CAF continues to place strong emphasis on infrastructure, accommodation, transport and overall tournament organisation when selecting hosts.

Among the proposed venues, two stadiums are expected to play a central role in Libya’s plans. The Tripoli International Stadium, which has a capacity of around 45,000 spectators, is likely to serve as one of the flagship venues for the tournament.

The Benghazi International Stadium is another major facility included in the plans, with the venue capable of welcoming approximately 40,000 supporters. Both stadiums are expected to be important assets as Libya attempts to demonstrate that it has the facilities required to host Africa’s premier football competition.

A successful bid would mark a historic return for Libya, who previously hosted the Africa Cup of Nations in 1982. That edition remains the only time the country has staged the continental showpiece, with Libya welcoming Africa’s best national teams more than four decades ago.

Since then, the tournament has expanded significantly, with CAF demanding higher standards in areas such as stadium quality, training facilities, hotels, security and transport networks. Libya will therefore need to prove that its proposed infrastructure meets the modern requirements needed to host a successful AFCON.

The country’s interest comes at a time when several African nations are competing to secure hosting rights for future editions of the tournament. Hosting AFCON has become increasingly attractive due to the global attention it brings, as well as the economic and developmental benefits associated with preparing for the competition.

For Libyan football authorities, securing hosting rights for either the 2028 or 2032 tournament would represent a major milestone and provide an opportunity to reconnect with the continent’s football community.

The coming months are expected to reveal more details about Libya’s bid, including renovation plans, government support and the final list of venues that will be presented to CAF as part of the country’s official proposal.