Egypt has officially declared its intention to bid for a future Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with plans to contest the hosting rights for either the 2032 or 2036 edition, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has confirmed.

The decision was reached at a strategic meeting held on Sunday, where the EFA assessed Egypt’s long-term football roadmap through to 2038, including preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

As part of its build-up on the international stage, Egypt has lined up high-profile friendly matches against Saudi Arabia on March 26, Spain on March 30, and Brazil in June.

The move follows a directive from Egypt’s Ministry of Youth and Sports and underlines the country’s ambition to once again stage Africa’s flagship football tournament. Egypt is one of the most experienced AFCON hosts, having previously organised the competition five times—in 1959, 1974, 1986, 2006, and 2019—and is targeting a record sixth hosting.

CAF recently confirmed a four-year hosting cycle for AFCON beginning with the 2028 edition, a development that has encouraged long-term planning among interested nations. Egypt’s proposed bid aligns with this new structure.

EFA officials noted that hosting AFCON would highlight Egypt’s modern football infrastructure, stimulate tourism, and further enhance the nation’s profile in African sports. Continued investment in stadium upgrades, training facilities, and youth development programmes has been cited as key pillars supporting the bid.

The EFA is expected to submit a formal application once CAF officially opens the bidding process, with Egypt set to compete against other African nations for the right to host AFCON in 2032 or 2036.