Ethiopia has officially applied to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon). The Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) believes this government-backed proposal shows the country’s readiness for Africa’s biggest football event.

Ethiopia has hosted Afcon three times (1962, 1968, and 1976), but its football facilities are less developed than those in other African nations.

Currently, only the Bahir Dar Stadium is approved for use by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). A new stadium in Addis Ababa is set to open soon, but it is uncertain if Ethiopia has enough suitable venues for a 24-team tournament.

Many existing facilities do not meet FIFA or CAF standards. Ethiopia played its home World Cup qualifiers for 2026 at neutral sites in Morocco and Rwanda, although it hosted some matches in Dire Dawa earlier this year.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe mentioned that there are exciting bids for the 2028, 2032, and 2036 Afcons. Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe have submitted a joint bid for the 2028 finals. Reports suggest that Morocco, which will host the 2025 edition, is focusing on co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup instead.

Ethiopia won the Afcon title in 1962 but has qualified only three times since, with their last appearance in 2021. They recently advanced in the qualifiers for next year’s Afcon and will compete in Group J with Senegal, Mozambique, and Sudan.

Some critics question Ethiopia’s readiness to host Afcon. While the Bahir Dar Stadium is approved, the new stadium in Addis Ababa and other facilities need improvements.

Hosting the tournament will require good training spaces, accommodations, urban transport, and security. Although Addis Ababa is relatively safe, parts of Ethiopia face issues with conflict and unrest. Addressing security and infrastructure concerns is vital for a successful bid to host Afcon 2028.