Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have declared their intention to jointly host the 2032 Africa Cup of Nations, marking the first formal step in what could be a landmark bid for the Alliance of Sahel States.

The Nigerien Football Federation confirmed that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) had accepted a joint expression of interest submitted by the three nations. This declaration opens the door to the next stage of the process, though it does not constitute an official award of the tournament.

The announcement came after representatives of the three football federations met CAF President Patrice Motsepe in the United States during the closing stages of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The three nations, all members of the Alliance of Sahel States, are seeking to bring one of the continent's premier sporting events to their region.

Bidding process begins

CAF formally opened the bidding process for the 2028, 2032, and 2036 editions of the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this month, inviting all 54 member associations to submit proposals. The governing body stated that bids will be assessed against technical, financial, and legal criteria.

The three countries must now compile a comprehensive hosting file covering stadiums, training facilities, transport networks, accommodation, and security arrangements. CAF has yet to announce a deadline for selecting the 2032 host, nor has it confirmed which other bids are in contention.

Historical significance

A successful bid would carry considerable historical weight. Burkina Faso last hosted the Africa Cup of Nations in 1998, while Mali staged the tournament in 2002. Niger has never hosted the competition. A joint victory would bring the Africa Cup of Nations back to the Sahel for the first time in over three decades — and grant Niger its first-ever hosting rights.