Egypt Signals Intent to Host 2032 or 2036 AFCON

Egypt has formally indicated its intention to host a future edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, with plans to bid for either the 2032 or 2036 tournament.

According to Egyptian publication Ahram, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) decided during a meeting held on Sunday, where key strategic issues concerning the country’s football development were reviewed.

The meeting covered preparations for the Egyptian national team ahead of this summer’s FIFA World Cup, as well as the EFA’s long-term roadmap extending to 2038. As part of its World Cup build-up, Egypt will play Saudi Arabia in a friendly on March 26, before facing Spain four days later. The Pharaohs are also scheduled to take on Brazil in June, shortly before the World Cup begins.

During the same meeting, the EFA presented Egypt’s intention to bid for the 2032 or 2036 Africa Cup of Nations at the request of the Egyptian Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Last month, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced that the Africa Cup of Nations would move to a four-year hosting cycle, starting with the 2028 edition, thus opening the door for long-term bidding plans by interested nations.

Egypt is one of Africa’s most experienced AFCON hosts, having staged the tournament five times previously—in 1959, 1974, 1986, 2006 and most recently in 2019. The North African nation is now seeking to add a sixth hosting to its rich continental football history.

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