Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso to submit joint bid to host 2032 Africa Cup of Nations

Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have taken a major step towards hosting the Africa Cup of Nations after submitting a joint declaration of interest to stage the 2032 edition of Africa’s biggest football tournament.

The three West African nations, who are members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), are preparing a combined bid as they seek to bring the prestigious continental competition to the Sahel region for the first time.

The proposed joint bid is expected to highlight the three countries’ shared vision of using football as a tool for regional cooperation, infrastructure development and international visibility.

Although the countries face challenges, including stadium infrastructure and security concerns, the move represents an ambitious attempt to showcase their sporting potential and strengthen collaboration within the AES bloc.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has increasingly encouraged joint hosting arrangements, with recent tournaments involving multiple nations.

A successful bid would require the three countries to present facilities capable of meeting CAF’s strict requirements, including stadium standards, training grounds, accommodation and transport networks.

Meanwhile, Egypt have officially confirmed their interest in hosting the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations, as the North African giants look to bring the tournament back to the country after previously staging several successful editions.

Egypt, one of Africa’s football powerhouses, has a strong history of hosting major continental competitions, including the AFCON tournament in 1959, 1974, 1986, 2006 and 2019.

Libya have also revealed plans to host the AFCON in the coming years as the country continues efforts to rebuild its football infrastructure and return to the international sporting stage.

The race for future AFCON hosting rights is expected to become increasingly competitive, with several nations looking to use the tournament as a platform to promote football development and national investment.

CAF is yet to announce the final hosts for the 2028 and 2032 editions, with interested countries expected to undergo a detailed bidding and evaluation process before a decision is made.