Guinea Turns to Senegal in Bold Bid to Bring AFCON to West Africa in 2032
Guinea is looking to make a fresh push for Africa’s biggest football tournament — this time with Senegal by its side.
The Guinean Football Federation has reportedly approached its neighbours with a proposal for a joint bid to host the 2032 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
According to Senegalese publication Sud Quotidien, Guinea formally contacted the Senegalese Football Federation at the end of July, suggesting that the two West African nations combine their resources in the race to stage the continental showpiece.
Guinea gets another shot
The proposed bid would represent Guinea’s attempt to return to the AFCON hosting race after a major setback.
Guinea was originally awarded the 2025 AFCON, but CAF withdrew the tournament in September 2022 after concerns over delays to stadiums, transport networks and other infrastructure. Morocco subsequently took over hosting duties.
Guinean Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah has since expressed the country’s ambition to host either the 2032 or 2036 edition.
A partnership with Senegal could significantly strengthen that ambition.
The Guinean federation highlighted the countries’ shared border and the potential to combine their stadiums, transport networks, logistics and other facilities.
“The geographical proximity of Guinea and Senegal is also a major asset for such a bid.”
Why Senegal could be the key
Senegal had already been working on plans for its own 2032 bid, but a joint proposal could offer advantages to both countries.
Senegal is currently investing heavily in sporting and transport infrastructure ahead of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, which will be the first Olympic event staged on African soil.
Those developments could provide Senegal with an important foundation for hosting AFCON six years later.
Senegal has hosted the continental championship only once, in 1992, while Guinea has never actually staged the tournament despite previously being awarded the 2025 edition.
A long road ahead
For now, the proposal remains just that — a proposal.
Senegal has yet to formally accept Guinea’s approach, while CAF’s process for selecting the 2032 AFCON host still has a considerable way to run.
But if the two neighbours can turn the idea into a formal joint bid, West Africa could have a serious new contender for one of African football’s biggest hosting prizes.
