ABIDJAN: Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso — three countries led by military governments — are bidding to jointly host the 2032 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Malian Football Federation said that officials met with Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe on Saturday in New York “with a view to a joint bid to host the 2032 Africa Cup of Nations”.

The neighbours and allies within the Alliance of Sahel States are led by post-coup juntas and grappling with insecurity amid deadly attacks from jihadist groups.

The Malian federation said the CAF meeting marks “a pivotal stage in the bidding process”, enabling the three member associations to “proceed with the steps outlined in CAF regulations for the awarding of the 2032 AFCON”.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2026