Afcon 2032: Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali launch bid for finals

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, three countries led by military governments, have submitted a joint bid to host the 2032 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).

The announcement comes after the Confederation of African Football (Caf) opened applications for the 2028, 2032 and 2036 editions of its flagship tournament.

The Malian Football Federation (Femafoot) said the joint proposal would be built around “solidarity, regional integration and sustainable development of African football”.

It added that it would work with relevant authorities to prepare a “solid, credible bid” aimed at bringing a new vision to the continental game.

The three neighbours officially left the West African regional bloc Ecowas last year after forming the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a pact aimed at strengthening cooperation including in areas such as security, infrastructure, trade and economic development.

However, the security situation across Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger remains deeply unstable in the midst of attacks from armed jihadist groups. The trio of governments have moved away from traditional Western security partners and strengthened ties with Russia.

Caf president Patrice Motsepe, when asked by BBC Sport Africa if continental football’s governing body would need security guarantees before assessing the bid, said the three countries “will have as good a chance as everybody else” of hosting the finals.

“They are not going to be disadvantaged or prejudiced by the fact that they are military juntas, but you raise a very important point,” Motsepe added.

“The questions of safety and security… those are questions that we will have to address. But there’s no decision that has been taken as to where it (Afcon 2032) will go.”

However, Motsepe also said that Caf has to “deal with reality”.

“Of course, democracy and freedom of speech and regular elections, that’s non-negotiable. And that’s critical,” he said.

“But I will be visiting those countries to engage on the football part.”