In a move that could reshape African football history, Ghana, Nigeria, and Côte d'Ivoire are exploring the possibility of launching a joint bid to host the FIFA World Cup. This ambitious plan, revealed by Ghana's Sports and Recreation Minister, Kofi Adams, signals a potential West African partnership for one of the world's biggest sporting events.
The Foundation for a West African World Cup
The concept of a multi-nation bid is gaining traction globally, and these three West African powerhouses are perfectly positioned to capitalize on this trend. Ghana, Nigeria, and Côte d'Ivoire are not just football-crazy nations; they are established giants on the continent. Together, they boast an impressive collection of Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) titles, with Ghana leading the trio with five triumphs, Nigeria following with three, and Côte d'Ivoire having secured their place among the elite.
Their credentials extend beyond continental success. On the global stage, Nigeria has been a frequent participant, qualifying for six of the last eight World Cup tournaments. Both Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire have successfully secured their spots in the upcoming 2026 World Cup, further solidifying their status as footballing nations with a strong global presence.
Proven Hosting Capabilities and Modern Infrastructure
Minister Adams is confident that the three nations already possess the necessary infrastructure and experience to make a compelling case to FIFA. He emphasized that significant investments have already been made, particularly by Côte d'Ivoire, which recently hosted and won the 2023 AFCON, building a modern tournament framework.
Ghana demonstrated its organizational capabilities by hosting the postponed 2023 African Games in 2024. Nigeria's hosting pedigree is even more profound, having staged:
- The AFCON twice (1980 individually and 2000 jointly with Ghana)
- The 1999 FIFA U20 World Cup
- The 2009 FIFA U17 World Cup
This collective experience provides a solid foundation for a World Cup bid. The precedent for joint hosting in the region already exists, as Nigeria and Ghana successfully co-hosted the 2000 AFCON, the first such collaboration in the tournament's history.
A Bid for the Future: Looking Beyond 2034
While an official bid cannot materialize before 2034, when Saudi Arabia concludes its hosting duties, the political and sporting momentum is building. Adams believes the conditions are right for the three nations to "make a strong case" for a future tournament. He hinted that preliminary discussions may already be underway, inspired by FIFA's growing acceptance of multi-country hosts, as seen with the 2026 World Cup across the USA, Canada, and Mexico and the 2030 edition planned for Morocco, Spain, and Portugal.
This is not the first time a West African World Cup has been proposed. Earlier this century, former Nigerian captain Segun Odegbami championed a similar idea involving more nations, though it did not gain the necessary traction before South Africa was awarded the 2010 World Cup. Now, with the global shift towards collaborative hosting, a Ghana-Nigeria-Côte d'Ivoire proposal may emerge as Africa's strongest future claim to football's greatest spectacle.
