Despite Lack Of CAF-Approved Stadium, Ethiopia Bid To Host 2028 AFCON

Despite Lack Of CAF-Approved Stadium, Ethiopia Bid To Host 2028 AFCON

By Niyi Busari 

Ethiopia has formally entered the race to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) submitted its official bid documents to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The EFF confirmed on Monday that it had presented its Bid Handbook to CAF with the backing of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, signalling the government’s commitment to bringing Africa’s biggest football tournament back to the country.

A successful bid would see Ethiopia host the AFCON for the first time in more than 50 years. The country last staged the tournament in 1976, although it previously hosted the finals in 1962 and 1968. Ethiopia also won its only AFCON title on home soil in 1962, defeating Egypt 4–2 after extra time in the final in Addis Ababa.

The bid comes as Ethiopia seeks to overcome significant challenges surrounding its football infrastructure. The country currently lacks a CAF-approved stadium capable of hosting AFCON matches, with the national team having been forced to play some of its recent home fixtures outside the country.

The Ethiopian government has therefore placed infrastructure development at the centre of its hosting ambitions, including efforts to complete major stadium projects in Addis Ababa and upgrade existing facilities to meet CAF requirements. Bahir Dar Stadium, for example, recently attained CAF Category 3 status but still requires further improvements to meet the demands of hosting AFCON matches.

Ethiopia’s application follows CAF’s decision to open the bidding process for the 2028, 2032 and 2036 AFCON editions. CAF said the selection process would follow a transparent framework developed with the support of independent advisers and technical, financial and legal experts.

The 2027 AFCON will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from June 19 to July 17, 2027, meaning Ethiopia’s bid could potentially keep the continent’s flagship football tournament in East Africa for a second consecutive edition.

For Ethiopia, however, the 2028 bid represents more than an opportunity to host another major sporting event. It is also a chance to revive the country's historic place in African football and use the tournament as a catalyst for modernising its sporting infrastructure.

With its rich football history, government backing and ambitious stadium development plans, Ethiopia will now wait for CAF’s assessment as it competes with other potential bidders for the right to stage the 2028 continental showpiece.

The country’s return to the AFCON hosting stage after more than five decades would represent a significant moment for Ethiopian football and a major test of its ability to deliver a modern, continent-wide sporting event.