Sahel Trio Launch Joint Bid To Host 2032 AFCON.
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have officially launched a joint bid to host the 2032 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), presenting the tournament as a symbol of regional unity and a catalyst for the development of football across the Sahel.
The three countries, which are members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), announced their intention after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) opened the bidding process for the 2028, 2032 and 2036 editions of the continent’s flagship football competition.
In a statement, the Malian Football Federation (Femafoot) said the joint proposal would be founded on the principles of “solidarity, regional integration and the sustainable development of African football. “The federation said it would work closely with the relevant authorities in the three countries to prepare a “solid and credible bid” capable of delivering a new vision for hosting the continental championship.
The bid comes despite ongoing security challenges across the three nations, which continue to battle attacks by armed jihadist groups. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger are all governed by military administrations and have strengthened ties under the AES after withdrawing from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Speaking on the bid, CAF President Patrice Motsepe said the three nations would not face discrimination because of their political leadership, stressing that every applicant would be assessed on the same standards. “They are not going to be disadvantaged or prejudiced by the fact that they are military juntas,” Motsepe said. “The questions of safety and security are issues that we will have to address, but no decision has been taken on where AFCON 2032 will go.”
He acknowledged that security, infrastructure and governance would remain central to the selection process, noting that CAF must ensure host nations can guarantee the safety of players, officials and supporters. “We have to be convinced there will be free movement of our fans and spectators. We have to be convinced that our fans and our guests will be safe, protected by the police and supported by good infrastructure,” he said.
Motsepe also stressed that the final decision on the hosts for the next three AFCON tournaments rests with CAF’s Executive Committee, adding that the governing body remains committed to transparency, ethics and global best practices.
The joint bid was discussed during a meeting in New York involving Motsepe and the presidents of the football federations of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. FIFA Council member and honorary president of Niger’s football federation, Colonel-Major Djibrilla Hima Hamidou, also attended the discussions.
Burkina Faso hosted the Africa Cup of Nations in 1998, while Mali staged the tournament in 2002. Niger has never hosted the competition and has qualified for the finals only twice, in 2012 and 2013.
The 2027 AFCON will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda—the first edition to feature three co-hosts. CAF has also confirmed that after the 2028 tournament, the competition will be held every four years. Motsepe revealed that the organisation has received several strong hosting proposals and is also considering expanding the finals from 24 to 28 teams.
Source:BBC Sports
Author: Joyce Owusu
