Ethiopia has lodged an official bid to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations, a move that has drawn as much scepticism as it has admiration. The Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) insists it has government backing and describes the proposal as affirming the nation's "full readiness" to stage Africa's biggest football tournament. The reality on the ground, however, tells a more complicated story.

A single approved stadium — for a 24-team tournament

The most immediate problem facing Ethiopia's candidacy is stark: as of last season, the country had precisely one venue approved by the Confederation of African Football (Caf) — the 52,000-seat Bahir Dar Stadium in the country's north. Hosting a 24-team Afcon requires multiple compliant stadiums spread across several cities, and Ethiopia currently falls well short of that threshold.

A new 62,000-capacity venue, the Adey Abeba International Stadium in the capital Addis Ababa, is expected to be completed next year, which would give Ethiopia two usable sites. Three further proposed stadiums exist at far earlier stages of development and would each require substantial investment and construction to satisfy Caf's requirements before 2028. Even if work accelerated, the timescale is extremely tight.

The infrastructure gap extends beyond match venues. A successful Afcon bid demands adequate training pitches, medical facilities, accommodation, transport networks and entertainment infrastructure capable of receiving delegations and supporters from across the continent. Ethiopia's regional facilities are widely understood not to meet current Fifa or Caf standards in those areas.

Security and political concerns

Infrastructure alone is not the only obstacle. BBC Sport Africa's analysis points to security as a critical issue. While Addis Ababa is considered comparatively safe, large parts of Ethiopia continue to experience armed conflict and political instability. Any host nation must guarantee the safety of players, officials and fans throughout the tournament — across multiple cities — and that is a considerable ask given current conditions in several Ethiopian regions.

It is worth noting that Ethiopia played its home qualifiers for the 2026 Fifa World Cup at neutral venues in Morocco and Rwanda rather than on home soil, a telling indicator of the logistical and security difficulties the federation already faces. The country did host some matches in Dire Dawa earlier in 2025, which represents a cautious step forward.

The wider bidding picture

Ethiopia is not alone in putting its hand up for 2028. Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe announced a joint Southern African bid earlier this year, a consortium that on paper offers far greater infrastructure and political stability. Caf president Patrice Motsepe has spoken warmly about the level of interest the body has received for the 2028, 2032 and 2036 editions — the tournament moves to a four-year cycle after 2028 — but the decision-making process will ultimately focus on practical readiness.

Morocco, host of the current 2025 edition, was previously mooted as a possible 2028 candidate but BBC Sport Africa understands the kingdom is not in contention, with its attention focused on co-hosting the 2030 Fifa World Cup. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have expressed interest in a joint 2032 bid.

Historical resonance, uncertain future

There is genuine romance to Ethiopia's ambition. The country was one of only three nations to compete in the very first Africa Cup of Nations in 1957, and it won the tournament on home soil in 1962. It last staged the competition in 1976 — nearly half a century ago. The 2027 Afcon will be held in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, returning continental football to East Africa for the first time since that 1976 edition.

Ethiopia's current national side — nicknamed the Walia Ibex — are ranked 143rd in the world and 43rd in Africa. They have qualified for the Afcon finals just three times since 1976, most recently finishing bottom of their group at the delayed 2021 edition. They are, however, in the running for next year's 2027 tournament, having been drawn in Group J alongside Senegal, Mozambique and Sudan.

Whether hosting rights can be secured is another matter entirely. Ambition is not in short supply, but bricks, mortar and security guarantees are harder to manufacture before a Caf deadline.

Frequently asked

How many stadiums does Ethiopia have for Afcon 2028?
Ethiopia currently has one Caf-approved stadium — the Bahir Dar Stadium — with a second venue in Addis Ababa expected to be completed in 2026. Three further proposed stadiums would need significant development to meet Caf standards in time for a 2028 tournament.
Who else is bidding to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations?
A joint bid from Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe is the other confirmed candidacy for 2028. Morocco, despite being the 2025 host, is understood not to be in the running as it focuses on co-hosting the 2030 Fifa World Cup.
When did Ethiopia last host the Africa Cup of Nations?
Ethiopia last hosted the Africa Cup of Nations in 1976. The country has staged the tournament three times in total — in 1962, 1968 and 1976 — and won it on home soil in 1962.