Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have submitted a joint bid to host the 2032 Africa Cup of Nations, the Malian Football Federation (Femafoot) announced, following a meeting with Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe in New York on Saturday. The three neighbours, all governed by military juntas and allied within the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), described the proposal as built around “solidarity, regional integration and sustainable development of African football”. The meeting, which also included the presidents of the Burkinabe and Nigerien federations and a FIFA Council member from Niger, was termed “a pivotal stage in the bidding process” that allows the trio to proceed with steps outlined in CAF regulations.

Speaking to BBC Sport Africa, Motsepe said the three countries “will have as good a chance as everybody else” of hosting the finals and would not be “disadvantaged or prejudiced by the fact that they are military juntas”. He acknowledged that questions of safety and security would have to be addressed, while also stating that “democracy and freedom of speech and regular elections, that’s non-negotiable”. Motsepe added that he would visit the countries to engage on football matters, and stressed that CAF’s executive committee would ultimately decide the hosts, with high standards required for free movement of fans, police protection and infrastructure.

The bid comes as all three states confront severe insecurity from jihadist insurgencies that have killed thousands and displaced populations across the Sahel. The security situation remains deeply unstable, and the governments have distanced themselves from traditional Western partners while strengthening ties with Russia. On infrastructure, Mali possesses five CAF-approved stadiums, Burkina Faso secured approval in 2025 for its main stadium in Ouagadougou, and Niger is working to bring the General Seyni Kountche Stadium up to standard after it was barred from hosting international matches in 2022. Burkina Faso hosted the tournament in 1998 and Mali in 2002, while Niger has never staged the finals.

The joint bid is the latest expression of deepening co-operation within the AES, which the three states formed after leaving the West African bloc Ecowas. Beyond security and economic pacts, the alliance has moved to create joint media platforms, with Burkina Faso’s transitional parliament this week approving the establishment of Daande Liptako Radio and Tafouk TV. The next Cup of Nations will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from 19 June to 17 July 2027, after which the tournament will switch to a four-year cycle. Motsepe said CAF has received “exciting bids” and is still considering expanding the finals from 24 to 28 teams. The three federations will now continue work to prepare what they call “a robust, credible bid that embodies a new vision for African football”, with no date yet set for a decision by CAF’s executive committee.