The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) has officially submitted its bid to host a future edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), confirming its intention to stage the continent’s flagship football tournament in either 2028, 2032 or 2036.
The move represents a significant step in Libya’s efforts to restore its place on the African football stage by bringing one of the continent’s biggest sporting events back to the country.
Libya targets AFCON return after more than four decades
Libya last hosted the Africa Cup of Nations in 1982, and the new bid reflects the federation’s ambition to showcase the country’s progress in football infrastructure and event organisation.
As part of the bidding process, the LFF is expected to present detailed plans covering proposed stadiums, accommodation, transport networks and security arrangements for CAF’s evaluation.
The federation hopes the bid will demonstrate Libya’s readiness to host a modern continental tournament.
Egypt also interested in 2028 tournament
Libya could face strong competition from fellow North African nation Egypt, whose football federation has also expressed interest in hosting the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations.
Egypt is one of the continent’s most experienced AFCON hosts, having organised the tournament several times, most recently in 2019.
The Pharaohs’ rich football heritage is further strengthened by their record of seven AFCON titles, the most in the competition’s history.
CAF to assess competing bids
The competing proposals from Libya and Egypt could set up a strong North African contest for future hosting rights.
CAF will evaluate all submitted bids based on infrastructure, logistics, security, accommodation and organisational capacity before selecting the host nations for the upcoming editions of the Africa Cup of Nations.
For Libya, securing the tournament would mark the return of AFCON to the country for the first time in more than 40 years and represent a landmark moment in its football development.
