The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has conducted an evaluation mission in Burkina Faso as part of the country's bid to co-host the 2031 Africa Cup of Nations with Mali and Niger. The mission, led by Emmanuel Newton Dasoberi, met with Sports Minister Annick Pikbougum/Zingue Ouattara on November 8, 2026. The evaluation aimed to assess the country's readiness to host the tournament, focusing on basic requirements such as personnel, sports infrastructure, and hotel facilities.
During the visit, the CAF team inspected several key facilities, including the Stade du 4-Août, the Centre d'entraînement des Étalons (COMET) with its two training grounds, and the Hôtel Lancaster Ouaga 2000. The mission involved various stakeholders, including representatives from the prime minister's office, ministries of foreign affairs, construction, health, security, finance, and culture, as well as members of the national football federation.
This evaluation marks the first step in the CAF's assessment process, with further expert missions expected to focus on areas such as security, information technology, infrastructure, and health. These evaluations will help determine the readiness of the candidate countries, including Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, to host the tournament. The Sports Minister expressed the government's commitment to submitting a strong bid.
The CAF evaluation team assessed the country's infrastructure and services, ensuring they meet the standards required for hosting a major international football event. The Stade du 4-Août, a key venue, was inspected to evaluate its condition and capacity. The COMET training center, with its two pitches, was also evaluated for its suitability for team preparations.
The Hôtel Lancaster Ouaga 2000, a potential accommodation for teams and officials, was inspected for its quality and capacity. The evaluation process involved coordination with various government agencies and stakeholders to ensure a comprehensive assessment. The mission's findings will contribute to the CAF's decision on the host countries for the 2031 Africa Cup of Nations.
Further CAF missions will focus on specific aspects of hosting the tournament, including security arrangements, IT infrastructure, and health services. These evaluations will help identify areas for improvement and ensure that the host countries are adequately prepared. Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger are working together to present a strong bid for the 2031 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Sports Minister emphasized the government's determination to submit a successful bid, highlighting the potential benefits of hosting the tournament for the region. The evaluation process is a crucial step towards achieving this goal, and the CAF's assessment will play a significant role in determining the host countries. The 2031 Africa Cup of Nations is expected to be a major event, and the host countries are working to ensure they meet the required standards.
Key points
- The CAF evaluation mission assessed Burkina Faso's infrastructure and readiness to host the 2031 Africa Cup of Nations.
