Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — August 29, 2026 — The Ethiopian Football Federation formally submitted its bid to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations on August 24, 2026. Backed by the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia government, the proposal marks a historic effort to bring the continental football tournament back to East Africa.
The bid submission arrives as the Confederation of African Football transitions the flagship tournament to a quadrennial schedule beginning in 2028. Addis Ababa aims to leverage its status as the diplomatic capital of the continent to anchor the multi-nation contest.
Infrastructure Realities and Stadium Development
Hosting a 24-team continental tournament demands massive capital outlays for transport networks, hospitality facilities, and modern sporting complexes. Government planners highlight ongoing construction projects at the national stadium in Addis Ababa to meet strict regulatory benchmarks.
Critics point to persistent security challenges and regional insurgencies in parts of the country as significant administrative hurdles. Sports economists emphasize that regional co-hosting models or heavy state guarantees remain vital to absorb the fiscal pressures of such large-scale sporting investments.
Competitive Landscape and Regional Bids
Ethiopia faces robust competition from regional coalitions, including a joint bid fielded by Southern African nations seeking to secure hosting rights. The bidding contest tests the logistical capacities of federations operating outside traditional football powerhouses.
The Confederation of African Football evaluates candidate dossiers based on strict technical criteria, medical readiness, and security guarantees. Final site inspections and technical evaluations are scheduled to conclude ahead of the executive committee vote by November 30, 2026.
What drove Ethiopia to submit a formal bid for AFCON 2028?
Ethiopia submitted its formal bid to reclaim its historical stature in continental football and leverage major infrastructure investments. The bid aligns with the new quadrennial tournament cycle introduced by the Confederation of African Football, positioning Addis Ababa as a central hub for African sports development.
The technical evaluation phase concludes by November 30, 2026.