The Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF), backed by full state endorsement from the federal government, has officially submitted its bid handbook to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to secure hosting rights for the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The ambitious bid represents a major bid for the Horn of Africa nation to bring the continent’s premier football spectacle back to Ethiopian soil for the first time in over five decades. Having last hosted the flagship tournament in 1976—and previously holding editions in 1962 and 1968—Ethiopia holds deep historical significance as one of the founding members of CAF and the winners of the 1962 tournament.

Securing the 2028 hosting rights would mark a continuous focus on East African football infrastructure, coming immediately after the 2027 edition co-hosted by neighboring Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. The 2028 tournament will also mark a key milestone in CAF's restructured calendar, aligning continental competition cycles closely with international FIFA scheduling.

Government officials and sports administrators emphasized Addis Ababa’s position as a diplomatic and logistical hub across Africa, pointing to Ethiopian Airlines' extensive transport network, robust hotel infrastructure, and planned stadium upgrades as central pillars of the submission. The federal government has committed significant capital resources toward modernizing sports facilities, transport corridors, and hospitality networks across key host cities.

Despite strong institutional support, CAF delegates will evaluate the bid against stringent technical requirements, including stadium seating capacities, specialized training grounds, telecommunication infrastructure, and comprehensive security guarantees. Analysts note that addressing internal regional stability and meeting CAF’s updated venue standards will be decisive factors as the inspection team conducts site visits.

If successful, hosting AFCON 2028 is expected to deliver a substantial economic boost to Ethiopia’s tourism, hospitality, and construction sectors while reviving the national football program. CAF is expected to conduct technical evaluations and deliberate on competing bids before making an official hosting announcement in the coming months.