CAF To Open Bidding For Next Four AFCON Editions

CAF To Open Bidding For Next Four AFCON Editions

Sampson Adedeji

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is set to open applications for the hosting rights of the next four editions of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), BSNSports.com.ng reports.

With the 2025 tournament scheduled to be held in Morocco from December 21 to January 18, and the 2027 edition already awarded to Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, CAF will soon begin receiving bids for the 2029, 2031, 2033, and 2035 competitions, according to BBC Sports journalist Osasu Obayiuwana. 

The official announcement is expected after the CAF Executive Committee meeting on Saturday. So far, several nations have indicated interest in staging the tournament.

Ethiopia, which previously hosted the AFCON in 1962, 1968, and 1976, has expressed a strong desire to bring the AFCON back in 2029, as confirmed by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in October 2024.

The Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo have also held discussions on a possible joint bid for 2029, with DRC’s Sports Minister, Didier Budimbu, pushing efforts to boost the country’s candidacy.

Meanwhile, Guinea has signalled its intentions to host a future edition, inspired by Côte d’Ivoire’s highly successful 2023 event, though no specific year has been mentioned.

Senegal, which failed in its 2027 bid, has withdrawn from the 2029 race due to the government’s shift in priorities.

However, a fresh candidacy for 2031, 2033, or 2035 remains a possibility. One thing is certain: the competition for hosting rights promises to be fierce, with several nations already setting their sights on delivering an AFCON edition bigger and better than Côte d’Ivoire’s.