Ethiopia makes official move for 2028 Africa Cup of Nations hosting rights

Ethiopia has submitted its candidature to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations, with the Ethiopian Football Federation (FFE) confirming the bid in an official statement.

The federation said its proposal had been supported by the government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE), and that the country had presented the official bidding manual required for the tournament.

“Soutenue par le gouvernement de la FDRE, la FFE a presente le Manuel officiel de candidature, repondant a toutes les exigences et reaffirmant la pleine preparation de la nation a accueillir le plus grand evenement de football d’Afrique.”

In English, the federation said: “Supported by the government of the FDRE, the FFE presented the official bidding manual, meeting all the requirements and reaffirming the nation’s full readiness to host Africa’s biggest football event.”

The announcement was made through the federation’s various communication platforms. It formally places Ethiopia among the nations seeking the right to stage the 2028 edition of the continent’s leading international football competition.

The FFE’s statement focused on two elements of the candidature: government backing and the submission of the official bidding documentation. It also presented Ethiopia as fully prepared to welcome the tournament, describing the Africa Cup of Nations as “the biggest football event in Africa”.

No further details about the candidature were included in the statement. The federation did not provide additional information on the bid’s organisation, proposed venues or any timetable connected to the hosting process.

Ethiopia’s announcement therefore represents the country’s declared intention to organise the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations. The FFE has confirmed that the necessary official manual has been presented and that the application is supported by the FDRE government.

The 2028 tournament will be the next edition of the Africa Cup of Nations for which Ethiopia is now seeking hosting rights. Its candidature has been communicated publicly by the national federation as part of the country’s effort to stage the competition.

The bid is being put forward as a national project, according to the wording of the statement, with the federation reaffirming Ethiopia’s readiness to host the continental finals. The FFE’s message did not set out any further commitments beyond the submission of the official candidature documents and the declaration of government support.

For now, the key development is Ethiopia’s formal entry into the race to organise the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations. The Ethiopian Football Federation has made clear that it wants the country to host the competition and has presented its official bidding manual in support of that ambition.