Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso have officially entered the race to host the 2032 Africa Cup of Nations, unveiling a historic joint bid that could see the continent’s premier football tournament staged across the three neighbouring West African nations.
The bid marks the first formal expression of interest for the 2032 edition of the tournament and reflects growing cooperation among the three countries, which are members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). Their proposal has already received an important boost after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) accepted their declaration of interest, allowing the process to move to the next stage.
The announcement followed a meeting between representatives of the three football federations and CAF President Patrice Motsepe during the FIFA World Cup in the United States. The discussions focused on the joint hosting proposal and the vision of using football to promote regional unity, economic development and sporting excellence.
If successful, the tournament would become one of the most significant sporting events ever organised by the three nations. It would also be among the few Africa Cup of Nations editions to be co-hosted by multiple countries, reflecting CAF’s increasing openness to joint hosting arrangements that allow nations to share infrastructure, logistics and financial responsibilities. �
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The proposed bid comes at a time when Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso continue to strengthen political and economic ties through the Alliance of Sahel States. While the countries have faced serious security challenges in recent years, officials believe hosting a major continental football competition could encourage investment in sports infrastructure, tourism and youth development while showcasing the region’s cultural heritage to the rest of Africa.
CAF’s acceptance of the expression of interest does not automatically guarantee hosting rights. Instead, it represents the beginning of a competitive bidding process during which candidate nations must submit detailed technical documents covering stadiums, transportation networks, accommodation, security arrangements and government guarantees.
Inspectors appointed by CAF are expected to evaluate each bid before the Executive Committee eventually selects the host nation or nations for the 2032 tournament.
Mali is the only member of the proposed partnership with previous AFCON hosting experience, having successfully organised the 2002 edition of the competition. Burkina Faso has hosted several CAF youth tournaments, while Niger has continued investing in football infrastructure in recent years as it seeks to stage larger continental events.
Football administrators across the region have welcomed the bid, describing it as an opportunity to accelerate investment in modern stadiums, training facilities and transport infrastructure. They also believe the tournament would create employment opportunities and stimulate local businesses through increased tourism and international attention.
The proposal highlights the growing trend of joint hosting in international football, with governing bodies increasingly recognising that neighbouring countries can successfully collaborate to deliver major sporting events while reducing financial pressure on individual hosts.
Should the bid succeed, supporters across Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso would have the opportunity to witness Africa’s biggest football tournament on home soil, providing a major boost for football development throughout the Sahel region.
The race to host AFCON 2032 is expected to attract additional contenders before CAF makes its final decision. However, the joint proposal from the three West African nations has already positioned them among the early favourites after becoming the first countries to formally submit their interest.
For Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, the bid represents far more than a football tournament. It is a statement of regional cooperation, shared ambition and confidence that sport can serve as a catalyst for development, unity and international recognition. If awarded the hosting rights, the 2032 Africa Cup of Nations would mark a historic milestone for all three nations and further strengthen football’s role as a unifying force across the African continent.
