CAF begins Ethiopia inspection for 2028 Africa Cup of Nations bid

The CAF’s bid to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations has entered a new phase after an evaluation delegation arrived in Ethiopia to assess its infrastructure and ability to stage the tournament.

The CAF inspection mission arrived in Addis Ababa on Thursday 15 October, following Ethiopia’s formal submission of its bid in August. Experts from the continental governing body will review the proposed venues, construction plans and the country’s wider capacity to host Africa’s biggest football competition.

The assessment is a significant moment for Ethiopia, which is seeking to reconnect with its distinguished football history despite major infrastructure challenges.

When the bid was submitted in August, Ethiopia had only one stadium with CAF approval: Bahir Dar Stadium, in the city of the same name. Even that approval was provisional.

The proposed Adey Abeba International Stadium, which is expected to hold about 62,000 spectators, is one of the central elements of the Ethiopian bid. However, with less than two years before the tournament, the country faces challenges beyond stadium construction.

A 24-team Africa Cup of Nations would require several operational venues, training grounds, hotels and an effective transport and logistical network.

Security concerns add to Ethiopia’s challenges

Ethiopia’s historical record provides a strong argument for its candidacy. The country was a founding member of CAF and competed at the first Africa Cup of Nations in 1957. It has hosted the competition three times, in 1962, 1968 and 1976, and became African champions at home in 1962.

However, security could prove to be the most serious obstacle facing the bid.

Tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea have escalated in recent days amid renewed fighting in the Tigray region. Addis Ababa has accused its neighbour of military incursions into Ethiopian territory, while Asmara has rejected those claims.

Military operations and drone strikes have been reported in northern Ethiopia, while Ethiopian forces have retaken control of several settlements close to the border. The developments have raised fears of a renewed open conflict between the two countries and prompted international calls for de-escalation.

The situation presents a particularly difficult backdrop for a tournament involving 24 national teams and thousands of visiting supporters. CAF will have to consider the safety of delegations, the country’s stability and whether matches could be staged across multiple regions.

Ethiopia is also competing with a joint bid from South Africa and Zimbabwe. Their campaign is continuing despite Botswana withdrawing at the end of September.

South Africa’s proposal can draw on the country’s experience of hosting the 2010 World Cup, as well as existing infrastructure.

The CAF inspectors’ conclusions will now be closely watched. Ethiopia has considerable historical legitimacy and clear political ambition, but must show that its plans can be delivered within a demanding timetable.