Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have officially declared their intention to jointly host the 2032 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), taking a major step toward bringing Africa’s biggest football tournament to the Sahel region.
The three countries have submitted a joint expression of interest to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which has acknowledged receipt as part of the initial bidding phase. However, CAF has not yet begun evaluating candidates, and no hosting rights have been awarded at this stage.
The joint proposal was presented after discussions between representatives of the three national football federations and CAF President Patrice Motsepe in the United States during the final stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 
The bid reflects a coordinated effort by the Alliance of Sahel States members to host one of Africa’s most prestigious sporting events. Earlier this month, CAF opened the bidding process for the 2028, 2032 and 2036 AFCON tournaments, inviting all 54 member associations to submit proposals.
As the process moves forward, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger are expected to present a detailed bid covering stadiums, training facilities, transportation, accommodation and security plans, which will be assessed against CAF’s technical, financial and legal requirements.
