Sahel states bid for 2032 Africa Cup of Nations despite security and governance concerns
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have submitted a joint bid to host the 2032 Africa Cup of Nations, presenting a complex governance and security test for football authorities and potential European commercial partners.
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have formally submitted a joint bid to host the 2032 Africa Cup of Nations. The three neighbouring countries, all currently led by military governments, announced the proposal following the Confederation of African Football’s call for applications for the 2028, 2032 and 2036 tournaments.
This sporting initiative aligns with the recent formation of the Alliance of Sahel States. After officially leaving the West African regional bloc Ecowas last year, the trio established this pact to strengthen cooperation in security, infrastructure, trade and economic development.
Geopolitical and commercial hurdles
For European investors and infrastructure firms, the bid highlights a highly challenging operating environment. The security situation across the three nations remains deeply unstable due to armed jihadist groups, and the governments have recently pivoted away from traditional Western security partners to strengthen ties with Russia.
Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe stated the nations will have as good a chance as everybody else, noting they will not be prejudiced for being military juntas. However, he emphasized that the governing body must "deal with reality" regarding safety, the free movement of spectators, and robust infrastructure.
Motsepe also drew a firm line on governance, stating that democracy, freedom of speech and regular elections are "non-negotiable" and "critical". He clarified that the final decision rests with the Caf executive committee, stressing his commitment to ethics, transparency and global best practices.
The bid was discussed during a preliminary meeting in New York on Saturday, ahead of the 2026 Fifa World Cup final. Attendees included Motsepe, the football federation presidents of the three nations, and Colonel-Major Djibrilla Hima Hamidou, a Fifa Council member and honorary president of Niger’s football federation.
Burkina Faso and Mali previously hosted the tournament in 1998 and 2002 respectively. The upcoming finals in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will be the first to feature three co-hosts. Meanwhile, the Alliance of Sahel States continues to consolidate its regional influence, with Burkina Faso’s transitional parliament recently approving joint media outlets, Daande Liptako Radio and Tafouk TV, to promote the alliance’s message.
