AFCON 2032: Sahel trio, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger launch joint bid to host tournament

Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso have officially announced a joint bid to host the 2032 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), marking a historic partnership between the three Alliance of Sahel States (AES) countries.

Officials from the football associations of the three nations recently met with CAF President Patrice Motsepe in New York to discuss their plan to co-host the tournament.

In a statement, the Malian Football Federation described the meeting as an important step in the bidding process. It said the talks would allow the three countries to begin the official procedures required by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to compete for the hosting rights.

The three football federations also promised to continue working together to present a strong and credible bid that reflects a new vision for African football.

If the bid is successful, Mali will host the AFCON for the first time since 2002, Burkina Faso will stage the tournament for the first time since 1998, while Niger will host the competition for the first time in its history.

Mali currently has five CAF-approved stadiums. Burkina Faso also received CAF approval for its main stadium in Ouagadougou last year. Niger is upgrading the General Seyni Kountche Stadium, which has not hosted international matches since 2022 because it did not meet CAF standards.

The joint bid comes despite ongoing security challenges in the three countries caused by armed insurgencies.

The next AFCON tournament will be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from June 19 to July 17, 2027.