Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have put in a joint bid to host the 2032 Africa Cup of Nations. All three countries are currently run by military governments.
The bid follows the Confederation of African Football (Caf) opening applications for the 2028, 2032 and 2036 tournaments.
Mali's football federation said the plan is built on "solidarity, regional integration and sustainable development" of the game in Africa. It said it would work with the relevant authorities to put together a strong bid.
The three countries quit the West African bloc Ecowas last year. They then formed their own alliance, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), focused on security, trade and infrastructure.
Security remains a major concern. All three nations are fighting jihadist insurgencies, and their governments have shifted away from Western military partners toward closer ties with Russia.
