Ethiopia has officially entered the race to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), seeking to stage the continental football tournament for the first time in more than 50 years.
The Ethiopian Football Federation confirmed the country’s interest in a post on X on Monday, saying the bid had been formally submitted to the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Ethiopia last hosted the AFCON in 1976, meaning a successful bid would bring the competition back to the country after more than five decades.
The country, Africa’s second-most populous nation with an estimated population of about 130 million, is also home to the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa. The Ethiopian capital, situated at approximately 2,300 metres above sea level, is the continent’s highest capital city.
However, Ethiopia’s bid could face significant challenges due to its security situation. Insurgencies remain active in Amhara and Oromia, the country’s two most populous regions, while tensions involving the federal government and the northern Tigray region continue to raise concerns over the possibility of renewed conflict.
Ethiopia’s footballing record could also present another challenge. The national team is currently ranked 143rd among FIFA’s 211 member associations and last featured at the AFCON in 2022, exiting during the group stage.
In announcing the bid, the Ethiopian Football Federation said the country was fully prepared to host what it described as Africa’s biggest football competition.
Morocco hosted the most recent edition of the AFCON, while the 2027 tournament is scheduled to be jointly staged by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
From 2028, the AFCON is expected to move to a four-year cycle, bringing its schedule in line with other major FIFA competitions.
Meanwhile, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso have also indicated plans to jointly bid for the 2032 edition of the tournament, despite continuing security challenges linked to attacks by jihadist groups.
