Ethiopia Bids to Host AFCON 2028 Amid Infrastructure Concerns

Ethiopia has submitted an official bid to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), as announced by the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF). The proposal is government-backed and indicates the nation’s readiness to host Africa’s premier football event.

Ethiopia has previously hosted AFCON in 1962, 1968, and 1976, but its current football infrastructure is considered inadequate compared to other African nations. The country had only one stadium approved for use by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) last season.

However, it is in the process of inaugurating a new international stadium and sports complex in Addis Ababa, which could serve as a venue for the tournament. There are significant concerns regarding whether Ethiopia can provide enough compliant venues for a 24-team AFCON across multiple locations, as many existing facilities do not meet FIFA or CAF standards.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe mentioned that exciting bids for the 2028, 2032, and 2036 AFCONs have been received, with Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe also announcing a joint bid for 2028.