The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially relaunched the call for bids to host the 2028, 2031, and 2033 Africa Cup of Nations. This decision was made in an official letter sent to its 54 member associations on Thursday, November 12, 2026. The move comes after the 2027 edition was awarded to the East African trio of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
The reopening of the bidding process is a result of a change in strategy by the CAF's Executive Committee on October 29, 2026. Initially, the committee had considered spacing out the tournament every four years, with projected editions in 2028, 2032, and 2036. However, they later decided to revert to the traditional biennial schedule. As a result, the 2028 edition remains unchanged, while the 2031 and 2033 tournaments replace those initially announced for 2032 and 2036.
The year 2030 was excluded to avoid any overlap with the FIFA World Cup. For nations interested in hosting the African football extravaganza, the countdown has begun with a tight deadline. Candidate federations must submit their formal declaration of interest by Tuesday, November 17, 2026, at 19:00 GMT. They will then have until November 24, 2026, to submit any requests for clarification before the crucial deadline of December 8, 2026, for complete dossiers.
The regulations allow for both individual bids and joint projects involving multiple countries, with a candidate eligible to bid for multiple editions. Federations that have already applied during the first phase are exempt from renewing their preliminary declaration. The field remains open for new applicants. Technical inspections will soon begin to validate the infrastructure, transportation, and accommodation guarantees essential for this triple continental scrutiny.
The CAF's decision provides an opportunity for nations to host a major African football event. The biennial Africa Cup of Nations is one of the most widely watched and highly anticipated sporting events in Africa. The tournament brings together the best national teams from across the continent, showcasing their skills and competing for the coveted title.
Interested nations must ensure they meet the required infrastructure and logistical standards to host the tournament. The CAF will assess the bids based on various factors, including the quality of stadiums, transportation systems, and accommodation facilities. The winning bids will be announced after a thorough evaluation process.
The relaunched bidding process for the 2028, 2031, and 2033 Africa Cup of Nations is a significant development in African football. Nations have until December 8, 2026, to submit their bids, and the CAF will announce the successful hosts in due course.
Key points
- The CAF has set a deadline of December 8, 2026, for nations to submit their bids to host the 2028, 2031, and 2033 Africa Cup of Nations.
