Fifty years since the last time
Ethiopia last staged the Africa Cup of Nations in 1976. Half a century on, the country wants it back.
The federation confirmed its candidacy this morning. Until then, CAF had received nothing serious for 2028, leaving the tournament without a home.
Everything before that is settled. The 2027 edition goes to Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, split three ways. What comes after was still open.
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A founding nation that fell off the map
Ethiopia has hosted twice, in 1962 and 1976, and won the 1962 tournament in front of its own crowd. The country was also there at the very beginning, in the inaugural 1957 competition, and reached the final.
Then the line went the wrong way. Ethiopia has qualified only twice this century, in 2013 and 2021, and now sits well outside the continent’s top tier.
Stadiums are the easy part
The obvious problem is not football. Ethiopia is dealing with armed conflict in Amhara and Oromia, its two most populous regions.
CAF asks for grounds that meet standard, transport that works between host cities, and security guarantees covering the whole country. That last one is where this bid will be judged.
No timetable has been set for the decision. Other federations still have room to move.
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