Ethiopia Submits Official Bid to Host 2028 Africa Cup of Nations Amid Major Challenges

Ethiopia has formally entered the race to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations, seeking to stage the continent’s biggest football tournament for the first time in more than 50 years.

The Ethiopian Football Federation confirmed the bid in a post on X on Monday, declaring the country ready to host the tournament. “Ethiopia has formally submitted its bid to CAF to host AFCON 2028,” the federation said, “reaffirming the nation’s full readiness to host Africa’s biggest footballing event.”

The Ethiopian Football Federation, backed by the federal government, submitted the proposal after shifting its focus from the 2029 edition. The change followed CAF’s move to a new four-year tournament cycle, with the 2027 edition scheduled to be staged jointly by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

Ethiopia has a distinguished place in AFCON history, having hosted the tournament in 1962, 1968 and 1976. The country also won its only AFCON title in 1962 on home soil, when Ethiopia hosted and triumphed in the tournament’s third edition.

However, the bid faces significant obstacles. Ongoing insurgencies in the country’s two most populous states, Amhara and Oromia, as well as threats of renewed conflict between the federal government and the northern Tigray region, raise major security concerns. Although the capital city is comparatively safe, several parts of the country continue to experience armed conflict and political unrest.

Infrastructure presents another major hurdle. Ethiopia currently has just one stadium approved for use by CAF, the 52,000-seat Bahir Dar Stadium in the north of the country. The 62,000-capacity Adey Abeba International Stadium in Addis Ababa is expected to be completed next year, while three other proposed stadiums are at much earlier stages of development.

The country has also been forced to play its home matches for World Cup qualifiers at neutral venues in Morocco and Tanzania due to the lack of CAF-approved facilities. Hosting AFCON would require more than upgrading or constructing stadiums, with adequate training facilities, gyms, accommodation, entertainment venues, and reliable urban transport and security infrastructure all needed.

Ethiopia’s footballing credentials also remain modest. The national team, known as the Walia Ibex, is ranked 143rd among FIFA’s 211 member associations and last featured at the AFCON in 2022, when it failed to progress beyond the group stage.

EFF Secretary General Bahiru Tilahun confirmed that the bid carries a full sovereign guarantee from the Ethiopian government, signalling the country’s strong commitment to the project. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has spearheaded efforts to address infrastructure problems through an ambitious drive centred on the completion of the Adey Abeba Stadium.

EFF President Isayas Jira Bosho said the country wants to revive the passion and atmosphere that surrounded Ethiopian football during its historic era.

Ethiopia will face a competitive race for hosting rights, with Egypt and South Africa among the countries expected to challenge for the tournament. Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe have also announced a joint Southern African bid for the 2028 finals.

CAF president Patrice Motsepe recently said his organisation had received “exciting bids” for the 2028, 2032 and 2036 editions. The selection process is expected to focus on security, infrastructure, stadium facilities, transport and accommodation as key considerations.