Sahel Trio Launch Historic Joint Bid To Host AFCON 2032

Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso have officially launched a joint bid to host the 2032 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), signalling a landmark collaboration between the three Alliance of Sahel States (AES) members.

The bid gathered momentum after officials from the three football associations met Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe in New York to discuss the proposed co-hosting arrangement.

In a statement, the Malian Football Federation described the meeting as a “pivotal stage” in the bidding process, saying it would allow the three nations to begin the formal procedures required under CAF’s regulations for selecting the hosts of the 2032 tournament.

The federations pledged to continue preparations aimed at presenting “a robust and credible bid that embodies a new vision for African football”.

If successful, the tournament would return to Mali for the first time since 2002 and to Burkina Faso for the first time since 1998, while it would mark Niger’s maiden opportunity to host Africa’s premier football competition.

Mali currently boasts five CAF-approved stadiums, while Burkina Faso secured approval for its main stadium in Ouagadougou last year. Niger is also upgrading the General Seyni Kountche Stadium, which has been unable to stage international matches since 2022 due to non-compliance with CAF standards.

The bid comes despite the three countries facing significant security challenges linked to persistent jihadist insurgencies.

The next edition of the Africa Cup of Nations will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from 19 June to 17 July 2027.