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Ethiopia has formally entered the race to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations, seeking to stage the continent’s biggest football tournament for the first time in more than 50 years.
The Ethiopian Football Federation confirmed the bid in a post on X on Monday, declaring the country ready to host the tournament. Ethiopia last hosted the AFCON in 1976.
“Ethiopia has formally submitted its bid to CAF to host AFCON 2028,” the federation said, “reaffirming the nation’s full readiness to host Africa’s biggest footballing event.”
The bid, however, comes amid significant security and infrastructure challenges. Ethiopia continues to face insurgencies in Amhara and Oromia, its two most populous states, while tensions involving the federal government and the northern Tigray region have raised concerns about the country’s stability.
With a population of about 130 million, Ethiopia is Africa’s second-most populous country. Its capital, Addis Ababa, is also the headquarters of the African Union and sits at an altitude of about 2,300 metres, making it the highest African capital.
Ethiopia’s footballing credentials also remain modest. The national team is ranked 143rd among FIFA’s 211 member associations and last featured at the AFCON in 2022, when it failed to progress beyond the group stage.
The country’s bid comes as the Confederation of African Football prepares for a change in the tournament’s calendar. AFCON will move to a four-year cycle from 2028, bringing it in line with other major FIFA competitions.
Morocco hosted the most recent AFCON, while the 2027 edition will be jointly staged by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
Ethiopia will face competition and scrutiny from CAF as the continental body assesses prospective hosts, with security, infrastructure, stadium facilities, transport and accommodation expected to be key considerations.
Meanwhile, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso have expressed interest in jointly hosting the 2032 edition. The three West African countries, which are battling persistent violence from jihadist groups, have indicated plans to submit a joint bid.
