Ethiopia has formally submitted its bid to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), renewing its push to bring the continental showpiece back to the country after 50 years.
The Ethiopian Football Federation confirmed the submission on Monday, August 24, 2026, saying it had presented its official bid handbook to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) with backing from the federal government.
Ethiopia last hosted AFCON in 1976, having previously staged the tournament in 1962 and 1968. It won its only continental title on home soil in 1962.
The latest bid follows Ethiopia’s earlier interest in hosting the 2029 edition before CAF adjusted its tournament calendar.
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CAF is considering bids for the 2028, 2032 and 2036 editions, putting Ethiopia in contention to host the 2028 tournament.
The bid faces challenges, particularly over infrastructure and security. Ethiopia continues to grapple with armed violence in parts of Amhara and Oromia, while tensions persist in the Tigray region.
The country’s national team is ranked 143rd in the latest FIFA rankings and last appeared at the AFCON finals in 2022, when it exited at the group stage.
The 2027 AFCON will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, while the competition will move to a four-year cycle from 2028.
If successful, Ethiopia would host AFCON for the fourth time and stage the tournament again more than five decades after its last hosting.