CAF Accepts Burkina Faso Mali Niger Bid for 2032 AFCON

The Confederation of African Football has formally accepted a joint bid from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to host the 2032 Africa Cup of Nations, marking a significant step in a process that could see the tournament staged across three nations currently led by military governments. The bid, submitted under the banner of the Alliance of Sahel States, a regional bloc formed by the three West African countries, is among several proposals CAF is considering for future editions of its flagship competition.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe confirmed the tripartite candidacy is officially in the process, stating the three countries "will have as good a chance as everybody else" of hosting the finals. He made the remarks following a meeting with the heads of the Malian, Burkinabé, and Nigerien football federations in New York on Saturday, July 18, 2026. Motsepe stressed that democracy, free speech, and elections remain non-negotiable for CAF, but added that the organization must "deal with reality." He said safety questions for the potential hosts "will have to be addressed," noting he plans to visit the three nations to discuss the football aspects of the bid.