According to Echourouk News, relayed by Afrik-Foot and Goal.com, Algeria will not submit a bid for AFCON 2028, 2031 and 2033. For 2028, Libya and Ethiopia are in the running, according to Goal.com.
The information, reported by Echourouk News and relayed by Afrik-Foot based on Goal.com’s reporting, indicates that Algeria does not appear on any of the lists of candidates for AFCON 2028, 2031 and 2033. At this stage, it remains press-reported only.
While the Algerian file closes, others are getting moving. For the 2028 edition, scheduled from 7 June to 19 July, Libya and Ethiopia are in the running, according to Goal.com. For 2033, no bid has been declared at this stage.
Two years instead of four
The bidding timetable sits within a framework that CAF itself has reworked. The governing body had announced a four-yearly tournament in December 2025, before reversing course on 30 October to return to the two-year cycle, Goal.com reports.
Federations have until 17 November to express their interest and until 8 December to submit a full bid, according to Fanzword. Two close deadlines that will set the pace for the coming weeks at CAF, chaired by Patrice Motsepe.
Libya and Ethiopia, long absent
The two declared candidates for 2028 share a long absence. Libya hopes to host AFCON for the first time since 1982, Ethiopia since 1976, Fanzword specifies. Two returns that would come after several decades away from the organisers’ table.
The immediate context is already set elsewhere: AFCON 2027 will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from 19 June to 17 July, according to the same source. For 2031, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have announced their intention to host the competition, and Senegal could join them, according to Goal.com.
Another Algerian withdrawal
This withdrawal would not be an isolated one. Algeria had already pulled out of the races to host AFCON 2025 and 2027, according to Goal.com. A possible renunciation for 2028, 2031 and 2033 would thus add to those two precedents.
On the Egyptian and South African side, the situation is different: Egypt and the joint South Africa-Lesotho-Zimbabwe bid have not submitted an official candidacy, again according to Goal.com. Full bids must be submitted before 8 December.