Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have formally announced a joint bid to host the 2032 Africa Cup of Nations, seeking to bring the continent’s premier football tournament to the Sahel region.
The Malian Football Federation confirmed that its officials met with Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe in New York on Saturday to advance the tri-nation candidacy
The meeting represented “a pivotal stage in the bidding process”, allowing the three federations to follow CAF regulations for the 2032 edition, according to a statement from the Malian body.
The federations pledged to prepare “a robust, credible bid that embodies a new vision for African football”, highlighting regional cooperation among the Sahel allies.
Burkina Faso last hosted the AFCON in 1998, while Mali staged the tournament in 2002. Niger has never hosted the biennial event but is upgrading its infrastructure, including the General Seyni Kountche Stadium, which has been barred from international matches since 2022.
Mali boasts five CAF-approved stadiums, and Burkina Faso recently secured approval for its main venue in Ouagadougou. The three countries aim to leverage these facilities for a successful joint hosting.
The next AFCON is scheduled for 2027, co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The 2032 bid, if successful, would mark a significant boost for football development in the Sahel.
