Ethiopia has officially thrown its hat in the ring to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations, marking a bid that would end a hosting drought stretching back over five decades.

The Ethiopian Football Federation announced the submission through a post on X, confirming the country’s aspirations to bring continental football back to its shores for the first time since 1976.

As Africa’s second-most populous nation with roughly 130 million residents, Ethiopia carries considerable weight on the continent.

Its capital city not only sits at a striking altitude of 2,300 metres the highest of any African capital but also houses the African Union’s headquarters, giving the country added diplomatic significance in its pitch.

Still, the road to hosting won’t be straightforward.

Ethiopia continues to grapple with security concerns, including insurgent activity in the Amhara and Oromia regions, along with lingering tension between the federal government and Tigray that could reignite conflict.

On the pitch, the national team hasn’t fared much better, currently sitting 143rd in FIFA’s global rankings and last appearing at AFCON in 2022, where it exited during the group stage.

The federation expressed confidence in its readiness to deliver the tournament despite these challenges.

Morocco hosted the most recent edition, while Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania will jointly stage next year’s competition.

Beyond 2028, AFCON will move to a four-year cycle aligned with FIFA’s calendar, and a separate bid from Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso is already in motion for the 2032 edition.