Burkina Faso can host AFCON 2032 alone, says Captain Ibrahim Traoré

Burkina Faso could host the Africa Cup of Nations on its own in 2032 if the country decides to bid for the tournament, interim president Captain Ibrahim Traoré has said.

Traoré made the declaration as Burkina Faso continues to show ambition about its ability to stage major international sporting events.

“Even Burkina Faso alone, if we decide to host the AFCON in 2032, we will do it,” Traoré said.

His comments underline the country’s confidence that it can meet the infrastructure and organisational demands required to host Africa’s biggest football tournament.

The Africa Cup of Nations has traditionally been hosted by individual countries, although recent editions have also involved joint bids and co-hosting arrangements as countries seek to combine infrastructure and financial resources.

Burkina Faso’s potential interest in the 2032 edition would therefore represent a significant ambition for the West African nation.

Hosting the AFCON would require substantial investment in stadiums, training facilities, accommodation, transport, security and other tournament infrastructure.

It would also provide Burkina Faso with an opportunity to showcase its footballing culture and national infrastructure to a continental audience.

Traoré’s statement suggests the country is confident it can undertake such a project without relying on neighbouring nations to share hosting responsibilities.

The prospect of Burkina Faso staging the tournament would also carry sporting significance for a country whose national team, the Stallions, have established themselves as one of the stronger sides in African football in recent years.

Burkina Faso reached the AFCON final in 2013 and have regularly featured in the latter stages of the competition, building a reputation as a competitive force on the continent.

A decision to formally pursue the 2032 tournament would, however, require Burkina Faso to go through the Confederation of African Football’s bidding and hosting process, with any eventual bid subject to CAF’s assessment and approval.

For now, Traoré’s comments represent a clear expression of Burkina Faso’s ambition.

“If we decide to host the AFCON in 2032, we will do it,” he said, signalling the country’s determination to consider an ambitious solo bid for the continental showpiece.

Meanwhile, the 2027 AFCON will be hosted in East Africa across Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.