The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reopened bidding to host three editions of the Africa Cup of Nations after reversing its decision to stage the tournament every four years. National federations are now reviewing their plans in light of the revised schedule.
CAF has kept the 2028 edition in place and brought the following two tournaments forward to 2031 and 2033. Federations have until November 17 to express interest and must submit full bids and government guarantees by December 8.
Libya and Ethiopia have emerged as contenders for the 2028 edition, which could run from June 7 to July 19. Libya is seeking to host the tournament for the first time since 1982, while Ethiopia last staged it in 1976.
In the previous bidding round, CAF received a bid from Morocco and a joint proposal from Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. The final list of contenders for 2028 will become clearer once the new submission deadline passes.
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger are pursuing a joint bid for 2031, which they originally put forward when the tournament was scheduled for 2032. Senegal could also enter the race after previously expressing interest in hosting. No bid has yet been announced for 2033.
Egypt is still considering a bid and has yet to decide whether to enter the race or which of the three editions to target. The country’s sports ministry previously said it was prepared to back a bid for the 2028 tournament.
In Algeria, local media report that officials have decided against bidding for any of the three editions. The country previously withdrew from the race to host the 2025 and 2027 tournaments shortly before the hosts were announced.
The bidding reopens seven months before the 2027 edition, which Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will co-host from June 19 to July 17. CAF is now seeking hosts for the three tournaments that follow.
