The Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) has officially submitted a bid to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations following CAF’s decision to switch the tournament to a four-year cycle starting from 2028.
Ethiopia had originally set its sights on hosting the 2029 edition, but the scheduling change announced by CAF in December 2025 forced a rethink. With the new calendar in place, the federation has now shifted focus to securing hosting rights for the 2028 tournament.
According to state-owned Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation, EFF Secretary General Bahiru Tilahun confirmed that a formal bid has been lodged, backed by firm guarantees from the Ethiopian government. He said the government’s support demonstrates the country’s commitment to meeting CAF’s infrastructure and organisational requirements.
While Ethiopia currently does not have a CAF-accredited stadium, several major projects are nearing completion. The Adey Abeba Stadium in Addis Ababa is at an advanced stage, with additional venues under development in Bahir Dar, Dire Dawa, Hawassa, Jimma and Mekele.
Ethiopia will face competition from a proposed joint bid by Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. Egypt has also been linked with interest in hosting the tournament, although no official submission has been confirmed.
CAF is expected to outline the next steps in the bidding process in the coming months as interested nations push to secure hosting rights for the continent’s flagship football competition.
