Morocco and Senegal Await Critical Decision on 2025 AFCON
In a highly anticipated development regarding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has announced that a full explanation of the decision on whether to award the tournament to Morocco or Senegal is expected by the end of November 2026. This ruling follows a secret hearing held on October 8, where a three-member panel deliberated on arguments presented by the football federations of both nations, alongside representatives from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which organized the event. The CAS spokesperson indicated that the arbitration panel is currently in the midst of its deliberations and is expected to finalize its decision soon, emphasizing that the process is thorough and may take several weeks.
Senegal's football federation has contested CAF's decision from March, which granted Morocco the championship title. This controversy stems from events during the final match held on January 18, 2026, when Senegalese players walked off the pitch in protest over a contentious referee's decision to award Morocco a penalty. The game resumed after a 15-minute delay, yet Morocco's Brahim Diaz missed the penalty kick that could have secured a second title for the nation. Ultimately, Senegal triumphed in extra time, clinching their second AFCON trophy in three tournaments.
Both Morocco and Senegal subsequently represented Africa at the 2026 World Cup, with Morocco making a commendable run to the quarter-finals, where they were eliminated by France, while Senegal was ousted in the round of 32.
Preparation for Future Competitions
As the football landscape continues to evolve, both nations are now focusing on their qualification campaigns for the upcoming AFCON 2027, which will be hosted in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Morocco currently leads Group A following two victories in their initial matches, while Senegal, managed by new head coach Patrick Vieira, is tied at the top of Group J after securing a win against Ethiopia and drawing with Mozambique. The upcoming tournament is set to feature 24 teams competing from June 19 to July 17, 2027, highlighting the growing interest and competitive spirit in African football.
As reported by rfi.fr.
