Adedokun Waliyu 
Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso have officially launched a joint bid to host the 2032 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The three neighbouring countries, which are members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and are currently governed by military administrations, announced their intention to co-host Africa’s premier football tournament.
According to a statement by the Malian Football Federation, officials from the three football associations met with Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe in New York to discuss their joint bid for the 2032 tournament.
The federation described the meeting as a significant milestone in the bidding process, saying it would enable the three countries to proceed with the requirements outlined in CAF’s regulations for selecting the tournament host.
It added that the football federations of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso would continue working together to prepare a strong and credible bid that reflects a new vision for African football.
Among the three countries, Burkina Faso previously hosted the Africa Cup of Nations in 1998, while Mali staged the tournament in 2002. Niger has never hosted the competition.
In terms of infrastructure, Mali currently has five CAF-approved stadiums, while Burkina Faso’s main stadium in Ouagadougou received CAF approval in 2025.
Meanwhile, Niger is continuing renovation work on the General Seyni Kountche Stadium, which has been barred from hosting international matches since 2022, to meet CAF standards.
The next edition of the Africa Cup of Nations will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from June 19 to July 17, 2027.
