Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have jointly submitted a bid to host the 2032 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), following the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) call for applications for the 2028, 2032 and 2036 tournaments.

The three military-led Sahel nations said their bid is aimed at promoting regional integration, solidarity and the sustainable development of football in Africa.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe said the countries would be assessed fairly despite being under military rule, adding that security, infrastructure and fan safety would remain key considerations in the selection process.

The three nations, which now form the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) after leaving ECOWAS, continue to battle jihadist insurgencies. Burkina Faso previously hosted AFCON in 1998, while Mali staged the tournament in 2002.