Ethiopia formally submits bid to host 2028 Africa Cup of Nations

Ethiopia has become the first country to publicly declare its intention to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), officially entering the race to stage the continent’s biggest football tournament.

The Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) announced that it had submitted its bid to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which has yet to confirm a host nation for the 2028 edition.

In a statement, the EFF said its proposal was backed by the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) government and included the official Bid Handbook required by CAF.

It added that the submission addressed all bidding requirements and demonstrated the country’s readiness to host Africa’s flagship football competition.

“Ethiopia has formally submitted its bid to CAF to host AFCON 2028,” the EFF said.

“Backed by the FDRE government, the EFF presented the official Bid Handbook addressing all requirements and reaffirming the nation’s full readiness to host Africa’s biggest footballing event.”

Ethiopia has formally submitted its bid to CAF to host AFCON 2028.

Backed by the FDRE government, the EFF presented the official Bid Handbook addressing all requirements and reaffirming the nation's full readiness to host Africa’s biggest footballing event. pic.twitter.com/zqEKkvANwf

— Ethiopian Football Federation 🇪🇹 (@EthiopiaFF1) August 24, 2026

The announcement comes as preparations continue for the 2027 tournament, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in the first three-nation staging of the competition.

Historic ambition

Ethiopia occupies a special place in African football history. It hosted AFCON in 1962, when it won its only continental title on home soil, and again in 1976.

The country also reached the final of the inaugural tournament in 1957, finishing as runners-up.

However, its fortunes on the pitch have faded in recent decades. Ethiopia has qualified for the finals only twice this century, appearing at the 2013 and 2021 tournaments.

Winning the right to host AFCON again would mark a symbolic return to the forefront of African football, but it would also present a significant organisational test.

Infrastructure and security questions

Any successful bid will require Ethiopia to convince CAF that it can meet the tournament’s demanding standards for stadium infrastructure, transport, accommodation and security.

The country continues to face security challenges, with conflicts affecting parts of the Amhara and Oromia regions, factors that could form part of CAF’s assessment during the bidding process.

CAF has not yet announced when it will choose the host for the 2028 tournament, but Ethiopia’s submission makes it the first publicly declared contender as the race begins to take shape.