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Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have officially submitted a joint bid to host the 2032 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), marking a significant step in the three Sahel nations’ efforts to strengthen regional cooperation through sport.
The joint proposal comes after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) opened the bidding process for the 2028, 2032 and 2036 editions of Africa’s premier football tournament.
In a statement, the Malian Football Federation said the bid is founded on the principles of solidarity, regional integration and the sustainable development of African football. The federation added that it would work closely with national authorities to prepare a competitive hosting proposal.
If successful, the tournament would become one of the largest sporting events ever jointly hosted by the three neighboring countries.
A Regional Partnership Beyond Football
The bid reflects the growing cooperation between Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger following the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
The three countries officially withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in 2025 and have since expanded collaboration in areas including security, trade, infrastructure and regional development.
Hosting AFCON would represent another major project under the alliance, positioning sport as a platform for regional integration and international engagement.
CAF Says All Bidders Will Be Treated Equally
CAF President Patrice Motsepe said the three countries would receive the same consideration as every other bidder despite questions surrounding the region’s security situation.
“They are not going to be disadvantaged because they are military juntas,” Motsepe said.
He acknowledged that security considerations would remain an important part of the evaluation process, adding that issues relating to fan safety, infrastructure and the free movement of supporters would need to be addressed before any final decision is made.
Motsepe also reiterated that democracy, elections and freedom of expression remain important values while emphasizing that CAF must evaluate bids based on practical realities.
The CAF president confirmed he intends to visit Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to discuss the football aspects of the proposal with national authorities and football officials.
A Historic Opportunity
Burkina Faso previously hosted AFCON in 1998, while Mali staged the tournament in 2002.
The 2027 edition will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, marking the first time three nations have co hosted the competition.
CAF has also announced that beginning in 2028, the Africa Cup of Nations will move to a four year cycle, aligning the tournament with a revised international football calendar.
Motsepe said CAF has received several strong bids for future tournaments and is also considering whether to expand AFCON from 24 teams to 28 teams in future editions.
Football as a Driver of Development
Beyond the competition itself, hosting AFCON often generates significant investment in stadiums, transport infrastructure, tourism, hospitality and youth sports development.
For Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, the joint bid presents an opportunity to showcase the region’s culture, strengthen cooperation and attract international attention through Africa’s biggest sporting event.
The final decision on the 2032 host nation or nations will be made by CAF’s Executive Committee following its evaluation of all submitted bids.
At The Voice of Africa, we believe football remains one of Africa’s most powerful instruments for unity and development. While infrastructure, security and governance will be key factors in CAF’s evaluation, initiatives that encourage regional cooperation demonstrate how sport can bring nations together beyond politics. As African football continues to grow, successful tournaments should leave lasting legacies that strengthen youth development, local economies and sporting institutions across the continent.
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