AFCON 2028, 2031 and 2033: CAF officially reopens hosting bids!

Following the AFCON calendar revision, African federations now face revised deadlines to submit their hosting bids

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AFCON 2028, 2031 and 2033: CAF officially reopens hosting bids!

The race to host the next Africa Cup of Nations tournaments is back on. CAF has revised its bidding process, offering national associations another opportunity to apply.

The bidding process for upcoming editions of the Africa Cup of Nations has taken a new turn. Following changes to the competition calendar, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reopened bidding for the 2028, 2031 and 2033 tournaments, according to a letter sent to its member associations. All 54 African football associations are eligible, including those that did not express an interest during the previous process.

Another opportunity for all 54 African associations

CAF had initially invited bids for the 2028, 2032 and 2036 AFCON editions. Its late-October decision to revise the tournament's frequency changed those plans: the 2031 and 2033 editions now replace the previously scheduled 2032 and 2036 tournaments. The revised calendar has required adjustments to the existing bidding procedure.

Under the terms outlined in the letter, associations that have already submitted a Declaration of Interest do not need to file another one. New applicants, meanwhile, are free to enter the process. Countries may bid individually or jointly, and can apply to host more than one edition. CAF says all bids will be evaluated fairly, with no preferential treatment for previous applicants.

CAF has officially reopened the bidding process for the hosting rights of AFCON 2028, 2031 and 2033 following its decision to return the tournament to a two-year cycle. 🚨👀 Key details from CAF’s letter: * AFCON 2028 remains unchanged. * AFCON 2031 replaces AFCON 2032. * AFCON 2033 replaces AFCON 2036. * All 54 CAF member associations, including those that did not previously apply, have another opportunity to submit bids. * Associations that already submitted a Declaration of Interest do not need to submit a new one. * November 17, 2026, at 18:00 Cairo time: Deadline to submit a Declaration of Interest. * November 24, 2026, at 18:00 Cairo time: Deadline for clarification requests. * December 8, 2026, at 18:00 Cairo time: Deadline for submitting complete hosting bids. Important: Bids can be individual or joint, and countries can apply to host more than one edition. CAF says all bids will be assessed fairly and transparently. Previous participation in the bidding process will not give any country an advantage. The exact dates for the three AFCON tournaments will be announced later. #AFCONwithMicky #AfricanFootball
— Micky Jnr (@MickyJnr__) November 12, 2026

December 8 deadline for complete hosting bids

The letter sets out three key deadlines: November 17, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. Cairo time for Declarations of Interest; November 24 at 6:00 p.m. for requests for clarification; and December 8 at 6:00 p.m. for the submission of complete hosting bids. These dates relate specifically to tournament hosting, not the separate tender for commercial rights.

Prospective hosts must demonstrate that they can provide suitable stadiums, transport networks, accommodation and security arrangements. The revised AFCON calendar may also require bidders to reassess their budgets and preparation schedules. The precise tournament dates and host countries have yet to be announced.

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