The Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) has formally submitted a bid to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), adjusting its long-term hosting ambitions following a major change to the tournament’s scheduling by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Ethiopia had originally positioned itself as a candidate for the 2029 edition of the continent’s flagship football competition. However, CAF’s decision in December 2025 to return AFCON to a four-year cycle starting in 2028 prompted the federation to revise its strategy and redirect its bid toward the newly designated tournament year.

Confirming the development, EFF Secretary General Bahiru Tilahun told state-owned Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation that a formal hosting proposal has now been lodged with CAF. He added that the bid is underpinned by firm guarantees from the Ethiopian government—an essential requirement in CAF’s evaluation process—signaling high-level political and financial commitment to delivering the tournament.

Infrastructure Push Underway

While Ethiopia currently does not have a CAF-accredited stadium that fully meets AFCON standards, authorities argue that this gap is temporary. The flagship Adey Abeba Stadium in Addis Ababa is reported to be at an advanced stage of construction, with completion expected ahead of CAF’s inspection timelines.

In addition to the capital, several regional cities are being considered as potential host venues. Stadium development or upgrades are underway in Bahir Dar, Dire Dawa, Hawassa, Jimma, and Mekele—reflecting an ambition to distribute matches across multiple regions and use AFCON as a catalyst for broader sports and urban infrastructure investment.

If successful, the tournament would mark Ethiopia’s first time hosting AFCON, positioning the country alongside recent hosts that have leveraged the competition to accelerate stadium construction, transport upgrades, and tourism promotion.

Regional Competition Intensifies

Ethiopia’s bid enters a competitive field. A joint hosting proposal involving Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa is expected to present a strong challenge, benefiting from South Africa’s existing AFCON-ready infrastructure and prior hosting experience. Egypt has also been linked to potential interest in the 2028 edition, although no official bid has yet been announced.

CAF is expected to assess bids based on infrastructure readiness, government guarantees, commercial viability, security, and legacy impact before announcing a final decision.

For Ethiopia, the 2028 bid represents not only a sporting ambition but also a strategic effort to position itself as a capable host for major continental events—testing its ability to deliver large-scale projects on tight timelines while projecting a renewed image on the African football stage.