Algeria set to reject bids for Africa Cup of Nations hosting until 2033

Algeria is reportedly not planning to bid to host any of the next three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, in 2028, 2031 or 2033.

According to Echorouk News, the country has decided against seeking hosting rights and does not want to stage the competition during the next seven years.

Two bids have been officially submitted for the 2028 tournament, which could take place from 7 June to 19 July that year. Libya and Ethiopia are the confirmed candidates, while Egypt and the joint bid from South Africa, Lesotho and Zimbabwe have yet to formalise their interest.

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have positioned themselves to host the following edition, which has been brought forward by one year. Senegal could still join the bidding process. No candidate has so far emerged for the tournament after that one.

The scheduling has changed since December 2025, when CAF president Patrice Motsepe announced that the Africa Cup of Nations would move to a four-year cycle. CAF subsequently opened the bidding process in July for the 2028, 2032 and 2036 editions.

However, the governing body reversed that decision and confirmed on 30 October that the tournament would return to a two-year cycle. The three editions after 2027 are therefore now scheduled for 2028, 2031 and 2033, Motsepe said.

There is also uncertainty over whether Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will be able to stage the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations next summer. Concerns have been raised about delays in preparations, with less than a year remaining before the tournament is due to begin.

A decision to move the 2027 competition to another host country would have an impact on the wider schedule. Egypt and South Africa have reportedly been sounded out by CAF as possible alternatives, although Motsepe has consistently dismissed the possibility publicly.

Algeria is also reported to have been approached about hosting the 2027 edition, along with Morocco and Cote d’Ivoire. Morocco hosted the most recent tournament from December 2025 to January 2026, while Cote d’Ivoire staged the previous edition in January and February 2024.

Three years ago, Algeria initially applied to host one of the 2025 or 2027 tournaments. It withdrew two days before the host announcement amid suspicions that the process had been manipulated in Morocco’s favour.