Ethiopia Submits Official Bid to Host 2028 Africa Cup of Nations Despite Stadium Shortfall

Ethiopia has formally entered the race to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations, a bold move from a nation whose footballing infrastructure lags far behind the continental standard. The Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) announced the government-backed proposal, declaring it affirms "the nation's full readiness to host Africa's biggest footballing event." Yet with only one Caf-approved stadium currently in operation, the bid raises immediate questions about feasibility for a 24-team tournament.

Ethiopia bids for Afcon 2028 amid stadium doubts

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — The bid arrives as the Confederation of African Football prepares to shift its flagship competition to a four-year cycle after 2028, with Caf president Patrice Motsepe confirming he has received "exciting bids" for the 2028, 2032 and 2036 editions. Ethiopia, a founding nation of African football and three-time Afcon host, now hopes to reclaim its place at the centre of the continent's sporting calendar.

A Storied History Meets Modern Reality

Ethiopia's relationship with the Africa Cup of Nations runs deep. The nation was one of just three countries to play at the inaugural tournament in 1957 and went on to host the competition three times — in 1962, 1968 and 1976. The 1962 edition remains a golden memory: Ethiopia won the title on home soil, a triumph that still resonates in the country's footballing identity. That victory was a landmark moment for African football, proving that an indigenous side could triumph on the continental stage and inspiring a generation of players and administrators across the continent. Ethiopia's status as one of the three founding nations of the 1957 Afcon — alongside Egypt and Sudan — further cements its place in the very origins of the competition, a heritage that lends moral weight to its current ambitions.

But the decades since have been lean. The Walia Ibex, ranked 143rd in the world and 43rd in Africa, have qualified for Afcon only three times since they last hosted in 1976. Their most recent appearance came at the delayed 2021 edition in Cameroon, where they finished bottom of a group containing Cameroon, Burkina Faso and Cape Verde without registering a single win. That qualification drought underscores the gap between Ethiopia's historical pedigree and its current competitive standing.

The Infrastructure Challenge

The central obstacle to Ethiopia's bid is simple: stadiums. The nation currently possesses just one facility approved by Caf — the 52,000-seat Bahir Dar Stadium in the north of the country. That single venue falls dramatically short of what is required to stage a 24-team continental championship spread across multiple locations.

There is hope on the horizon in the capital. The 62,000-capacity Adey Abeba International Stadium in Addis Ababa is expected to be completed next year, potentially providing a second compliant venue. However, three other proposed stadiums remain at much earlier stages of development and would require significant work to meet Caf's requirements in time for 2028. Existing regional facilities are understood not to meet Fifa or Caf standards in terms of infrastructure, facilities and overall match-day requirements.

Beyond Stadiums: The Full Hosting Burden

Hosting Afcon demands far more than upgrading or constructing stadiums. The country would also need adequate training facilities, gyms, accommodation and entertainment venues, as well as reliable urban transport and security infrastructure. Each of these elements represents a substantial investment and logistical undertaking, and Ethiopia's current capacity in these areas remains largely untested at the scale required.

The practical realities of Ethiopian football infrastructure have been visible in recent qualifying campaigns. Ethiopia played its home qualifiers for the 2026 Fifa World Cup at neutral venues in Morocco and Rwanda, a telling indicator of current stadium limitations. The team did host matches in Dire Dawa earlier this year, but the broader picture remains one of constrained options.

Security Concerns Loom Large

Security presents a major concern for Ethiopia's bid. Although the capital city is comparatively safe, several parts of the country continue to experience armed conflict, political unrest and other security challenges. Addressing these concerns would be critical if Ethiopia is to convince Caf that it can guarantee the safety of players, officials and supporters across multiple host cities.

These are not abstract worries. Continental tournaments require weeks of preparation, movement between cities, and large crowds gathering in concentrated spaces. Any credible bid must demonstrate a comprehensive security plan, and Ethiopia's current situation makes that a formidable requirement.

The Competitive Field for 2028

Ethiopia is not alone in pursuing the 2028 finals. Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe announced a joint Southern African bid earlier this year, presenting a formidable multi-nation proposal. That joint bid brings together four nations with established footballing cultures and, in South Africa's case, proven experience of hosting major global events, making it a particularly strong contender that raises the bar for any single-nation bid. Despite reports that Morocco — hosts of the 2025 edition — could stage the tournament again in two years' time, BBC Sport Africa understands the kingdom is not in the running and instead is focusing on preparations to co-host the 2030 Fifa World Cup.

The 2027 Afcon is scheduled to take place in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from 19 June to 17 July next year, with the competition returning to East Africa for the first time since it was held in Ethiopia in 1976. That timing creates an interesting dynamic: East Africa will have just hosted a major Afcon immediately before Ethiopia's proposed 2028 edition, potentially strengthening the region's case for continuity. The return of the tournament to East Africa after half a century also carries deep historical resonance, reconnecting the region with a continental tradition it helped shape in the early years of African football.

Mixed Reactions at Home

The EFF's announcement has generated mixed reactions within Ethiopia, with critics questioning whether the country is truly prepared to host a tournament of this scale. The gap between ambition and current capacity is difficult to ignore, and sceptics argue that resources might be better directed toward developing the national team and grassroots football rather than pursuing an expensive hosting commitment.

Supporters, however, see the bid as a catalyst for much-needed infrastructure development and a chance to restore Ethiopia's standing in African football. The construction of the Adey Abeba International Stadium represents progress, and a successful bid could accelerate investment in facilities across the country.

A Senegalese Connection

For Senegalese readers, this bid carries particular relevance. Ethiopia beat Sao Tome and Principe in the preliminary round of qualifiers for next year's Afcon and have been drawn alongside Senegal, Mozambique and Sudan in Group J. The Teranga Lions will travel to face the Walia Ibex in qualifying, offering a direct glimpse of Ethiopia's current footballing environment.

Senegal, as one of Africa's footballing powerhouses and a regular contender at continental finals, has a vested interest in the quality and safety of Afcon hosting arrangements. The prospect of a 2028 tournament in Ethiopia would mean Senegalese players, officials and supporters potentially navigating the same infrastructure and security challenges that currently raise questions about the bid.

The coming months will be crucial as Caf evaluates the bids for 2028 and beyond. Ethiopia's proposal carries the weight of history and the promise of a nation seeking to reclaim its footballing heritage. Whether that promise can be translated into the concrete reality of stadiums, transport, accommodation and security remains the defining question. For now, the Walia Ibex have made their intentions clear — and African football will be watching closely to see if this ambitious bid can overcome the considerable hurdles that lie ahead. Beyond the practical challenges, this bid speaks to a broader ambition that runs deep across the continent — the determination of African nations to stand on the world stage, to invest in their own sporting futures, and to take pride in welcoming the rest of the continent to their soil. When a nation like Ethiopia steps forward despite its limitations, it reflects a spirit of aspiration that resonates far beyond football, touching the very idea of what African countries can achieve when they dare to dream big.

This article was produced with AI-assisted research and editorial support. Sources: BBC Africa.