Ethiopia Bids to Host 2028 AFCON as East Africa Prepares for 2027 Tournament

The Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) has formally submitted a bid to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The move is backed by the Ethiopian government, with the EFF presenting the official bid handbook outlining the nation's readiness to stage the continent's premier football event.

Historically, Ethiopia has hosted AFCON three times—in 1962, 1968, and 1976—and won the tournament on home soil in 1962, marking its only continental title.

East Africa Gears Up for 2027 AFCON

Meanwhile, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania are intensifying preparations for the 2027 AFCON, which they will co-host. A recent high-level meeting involving CAF officials, sports ministers, football federation representatives, and local organizing committees from the three countries reaffirmed their commitment to delivering a successful tournament.

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, Salim Mvurya, emphasized the importance of strong coordination and disciplined execution to ensure a memorable and transformative event.

Key Focus Areas Ahead of the Tournament

• Review and implementation of the PAMOJA Visa Framework to ease movement of fans, teams, officials, media, and other stakeholders across host countries.
• Progress on infrastructure development, including stadium upgrades and training facilities, with ongoing assessments by CAF to meet hosting standards.

The submission of Ethiopia’s bid for the 2028 AFCON coincides with the regional momentum in East Africa as the trio prepares to host the 2027 edition, highlighting the continent’s growing football ambitions.