Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, all currently led by military governments, have submitted a joint bid to host the 2032 Africa Cup of Nations after the Confederation of African Football (Caf) opened applications for the 2028, 2032 and 2036 editions. The move is notable given the security situation across the Sahel states remains volatile due to ongoing jihadist attacks, and the three countries have pivoted away from Western security partners towards Russia since forming their own regional alliance after quitting Ecowas last year.

The Malian Football Federation said the bid would centre on "solidarity, regional integration and sustainable development" for African football. Caf president Patrice Motsepe said the trio would have "as good a chance as everybody else" and would not be penalised for being run by juntas, though he stressed that safety, security and free movement of fans remained non-negotiable requirements he would need to assess, including through planned visits to the countries; he added that democracy and free elections were "non-negotiable" for Caf more broadly, even as it deals with "reality" on the ground. Burkina Faso hosted Afcon in 1998 and Mali in 2002, while a final decision rests with Caf's executive committee.