The Alliance of Sahel States has entered the race to stage Africa’s biggest football tournament.
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (Running Africa) — Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have officially launched a joint bid to host the 2032 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), marking the first major sporting initiative undertaken by the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
The three West African nations confirmed their intention after meeting Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe in New York, where CAF formally accepted their expression of interest, allowing the bid to advance to the next stage of the tournament selection process.
If successful, the proposal would see the three neighboring countries co-host Africa’s biggest football competition for the first time under the AES regional alliance.
Football at the Center of Regional Integration
The joint bid is built around a shared vision of using football as a catalyst for regional development, with leaders highlighting the tournament’s potential to stimulate infrastructure investment, economic growth, and stronger cooperation across the Sahel.
Officials say hosting AFCON would accelerate investment in stadiums, transport networks, tourism, and hospitality while strengthening regional ties among the three countries.
The initiative also reflects the Alliance of Sahel States’ broader ambition to deepen collaboration beyond defense and political cooperation into sport, culture, and economic development.
CAF to Assess Bid Under Standard Criteria
CAF has confirmed that the joint proposal will be evaluated using the same bidding criteria applied to all candidate nations.
However, President Patrice Motsepe acknowledged that security, safety, and tournament readiness will be central considerations during the assessment process.
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger continue to face security challenges linked to armed insurgencies in parts of the Sahel, but Motsepe emphasized that the countries’ military-led governments would not automatically disqualify their bid.
Instead, CAF will assess whether the hosts can provide the infrastructure, logistics, and security required to stage a successful continental tournament.
Hosting Experience Across the Region
Among the three bidding nations, Burkina Faso previously hosted the 1998 Africa Cup of Nations, while Mali welcomed the tournament in 2002.
Niger has never hosted AFCON and would make its debut as a tournament host if the joint proposal is approved.
The bid represents an opportunity for all three countries to showcase the region on the continental stage while boosting investment and international visibility.
CAF Opens Bidding for Future AFCON Tournaments
The announcement comes as CAF officially begins the host selection process for the 2028, 2032, and 2036 Africa Cup of Nations.
Several African countries are expected to submit competing bids in the coming months, setting up a competitive race to host one of the continent’s most prestigious sporting events.
The Burkina Faso–Mali–Niger proposal signals the growing ambition of the Alliance of Sahel States to leverage football as a platform for regional unity, economic transformation, and international engagement.
