Senegal Announces Start of Preparations to Bid for 2032 Africa Cup of Nations

Senegal's Minister of Sports, Khady Diène Gaye, has officially announced the country's intention to compete for the hosting rights of the 2032 Africa Cup of Nations finals.

Addressing the National Assembly, the Minister confirmed that relevant authorities have already commenced preparing a comprehensive bid file for submission to the Confederation of African Football (CAF). This move aims to bring the continent's most significant sporting event back to Senegal after an absence of several decades.

During her appearance before the National Assembly, Gaye clarified that 2032 is the year Senegal aspires to host the event, not the year for submitting official documents. The Minister stated, "Senegal is already preparing its bid file to be able to host the Africa Cup of Nations in 2032." She also indicated that work is currently underway to ensure all required criteria are met, adding, "We will not submit the bid file in 2032; rather, this year is the date we aspire to host the tournament in our country."

Through this initiative, Senegal seeks to host the tournament, which it last staged in 1992. These efforts coincide with CAF's decision to adopt a quadrennial cycle for the tournament, to be held every four years starting from the 2028 edition. Meanwhile, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania are preparing to co-host the 2027 edition.