Ethiopia Officially Enters the Race to Host CAN 2028

Yesterday 14:23

Ethiopia has officially submitted its bid to the African Football Confederation to host the Africa Cup of Nations 2028. Backed by the federal government, the Ethiopian candidacy marks the return of a country that has not hosted the competition in half a century, but it also comes amid a particularly sensitive security context.

Ethiopia takes a new step in its ambition to host the CAN 2028. After announcing its intention to bid at the beginning of the year, the Ethiopian Football Federation has confirmed the official submission of its bid to the CAF.

The bid is supported by federal authorities led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. In a message posted on social media, the Federation assures that its bid meets the requirements set for organizing the competition and claims that the country has the necessary capabilities to host the best teams on the continent.

Ethiopia's Return to the CAN Stage

If selected, Ethiopia would regain a prominent role in organizing African football. The country has not hosted the Africa Cup of Nations since 1976, an edition that remains its last experience as a host nation to this day.

In sporting terms, however, the country remains far from the continent's main powerhouses. The Ethiopian national team currently ranks 143rd in the FIFA world rankings and has not participated in a final phase of the CAN since the 2021 edition held in Cameroon.

Thus, this candidacy relies more on the ambition to strengthen infrastructure and the country’s international visibility than on the recent performances of its national team.

A Candidacy in a Fragile Security Environment

One of the main challenges for Addis Ababa could, however, lie outside the stadiums.

The Ethiopian candidacy comes at a time when several regions of the country are still experiencing tensions. Armed groups are clashing with federal forces in certain areas of Amhara and Oromia, while the situation in Tigray remains a source of concern following the conflict that ravaged the region between 2020 and 2022.

Security issues could thus be a determining factor in the evaluation of the candidacy, as hosting a CAN requires ensuring the safety of teams, official delegations, and tens of thousands of supporters.

Addis Ababa: The Main Asset of the Bid?

With a population of around 130 million people, Ethiopia has a considerable domestic market and a capital, Addis Ababa, which already plays a major role on the African diplomatic scene.

The city is home to the African Union, which strengthens its status as a political and institutional center of the continent.

For Ethiopian authorities, hosting the CAN could also serve as a showcase to accelerate the modernization of sports infrastructure, transportation, and tourism facilities.

After East Africa, a New CAN Every Four Years

The next edition of the competition will be held in 2027 by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, the first CAN entrusted to three East African countries.

The 2028 edition is expected to inaugurate a new rhythm for the competition. The CAN will shift from a biennial frequency to being held every four years, in order to align with the schedule of other major international football competitions.

Ethiopia's candidacy thus takes place during a period of transformation in the African football calendar. It remains to be seen whether its project will convince the CAF, particularly regarding infrastructure and security issues.