Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have officially launched a joint bid to host the 2032 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), marking the first major sporting initiative by the three countries since forming the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). The announcement follows the Confederation of African Football (CAF) opening the bidding process for the 2028, 2032 and 2036 editions of Africa’s premier football tournament. In a statement, the Malian Football Federation (FEMAFOOT) said the joint bid would be built on the principles of solidarity, regional integration and the sustainable development of African football, adding that the three nations would work closely with their governments to prepare a “credible and competitive” proposal.
The bid comes amid significant political changes in the Sahel. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger are all governed by military administrations and formally withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) after establishing the AES, a regional alliance focused on security, infrastructure, trade and economic cooperation. However, the three countries continue to face serious security challenges, with persistent attacks by armed jihadist groups across large parts of their territories. In recent years, they have also shifted away from traditional Western security partnerships and strengthened defense and political ties with Russia. Responding to questions about whether security concerns could affect the bid, CAF President Patrice Motsepe said all candidate nations would be assessed fairly.
“They will have as good a chance as everybody else,” Motsepe said, stressing that the military-led governments would not be automatically disadvantaged during the selection process. He acknowledged, however, that safety and security would be key considerations, alongside infrastructure, governance and the ability to guarantee the free movement of players, officials and supporters. “We have to deal with reality,” Motsepe said. “We must be convinced that fans and guests will be safe and that there is adequate infrastructure.” He emphasized that the final decision will rest with the CAF Executive Committee, which will evaluate all bids according to established technical and organizational requirements. Representatives of the football federations of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger met Motsepe in New York ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final, alongside senior FIFA official Colonel-Major Djibrilla Hima Hamidou, a member of the FIFA Council and honorary president of Niger’s football federation.
Both Burkina Faso and Mali have previously hosted AFCON individually in 1998 and 2002, respectively while Niger has never hosted the tournament. The 2027 AFCON will be jointly staged by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, marking the first-ever three-nation hosting arrangement. CAF has also confirmed that after the 2028 edition, the Africa Cup of Nations will be held every four years instead of every two years. The governing body is also considering expanding the tournament from 24 to 28 teams, following what Motsepe described as strong interest from prospective host nations. Beyond football, the AES continues to deepen regional cooperation. Burkina Faso’s transitional parliament recently approved the creation of Daande Liptako Radio and Tafouk TV, joint media platforms intended to strengthen communication and promote the alliance’s shared agenda. The joint AFCON bid is expected to showcase the three countries’ commitment to regional cooperation while testing their ability to meet CAF’s stringent hosting standards amid ongoing security and political challenges.
