Ethiopia has officially submitted its bid to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), signaling its ambition to bring the continent’s premier football tournament back to Addis Ababa.
The country’ football federation (EFF) says its government backed the proposal affirms “the nation’s full readiness to host Africa’ biggest football event.”
Ethiopia staged AFCON three times in 1962, 1968 and 1976 with its footballing infrastructure lags well behind others on the continent.
The country has one stadium approved by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) last season but is in the process of inaugurating new international stadium and sports complex in Addis Ababa.
The announcement comes at a pivotal moment where Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania already set to co-host the 2027 AFCON, a development that could reshape the footballing landscape of East Africa.
As one of CAF’s founding members, Ethiopia holds a symbolic place in African heritage, and its bid to host the AFCON 2028 would not only revive its legacy but reaffirm Ethiopia’s role in sports culture.
Ethiopia played home qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at in Morocco and Rwanda but did not host matches in Dire Dawa earlier this year.
Earlier this year, Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe, announced a joint Southern African bid for the 2028 finals. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have also expressed interest in co-hosting in 2032.
However, hosting AFCON requires more upgrading or constructing stadiums with enough adequate training facilities, gyms, accommodations and entertainment venues as well as reliable urban transport and security infrastructure.
