Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have officially thrown their hats into the ring to co-host the 2032 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The Malian Football Federation confirmed the joint bid following a meeting with Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe in New York. The three neighboring countries, which make up the Alliance of Sahel States, say the bid brings a “new vision for African football,” even as all three continue to navigate political transitions under military leadership and persistent regional security issues.
Hosting would be a major milestone for the alliance, particularly for Niger, which has never hosted the tournament before. Burkina Faso last staged AFCON in 1998, while Mali played host in 2002.
Infrastructure, however, will be a key hurdle. While Mali already has five CAF-approved stadiums, Burkina Faso only recently secured approval for its main stadium in Ouagadougou for 2025. Meanwhile, Niger is still working to upgrade its General Seyni Kountché Stadium, which has been barred from hosting international fixtures since 2022.
–ChannelAfrica–
