The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has heard the appeal lodged by the Senegalese Football Federation in Lausanne regarding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final. Pending the final decision, Morocco retains its title as African champions and continues to assert its central role in African football.
The legal saga surrounding the most recent Africa Cup of Nations is drawing to a close. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has concluded its hearings with the Senegalese Football Federation, CAF and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) in Lausanne.
Whilst the verdict is expected in the coming days, Morocco is approaching this deadline with complete confidence. Relying on a title awarded in strict compliance with sporting regulations, the Kingdom remains focused on the future and on hosting major African competitions.
An African championship title grounded in the rules
To understand the dispute, one must look back to the tumultuous final on 18 January in Rabat. After the Senegalese players walked off following a penalty awarded to the Moroccan team in stoppage time, the match could not be completed.
On 17 March 2026, the Appeals Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match and confirmed Morocco’s 3–0 victory, in strict accordance with Articles 82 and 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations regulations.
Having appealed against this decision to the CAS on 25 March, the Senegalese side was heard at a closed-door hearing on 8 October. The Director General of the arbitration body, Matthieu Reeb, stated that the decision would be handed down shortly. Until this ruling is announced, Morocco remains the reigning African champions.
Morocco: the undisputed capital of African football
Far from the Swiss courtrooms, Morocco continues to embody the beating heart of sport on the continent. Whilst Lausanne deliberates, the Kingdom will host the final phase of the Futsal Africa Cup of Nations from 12 to 21 October 2026.
In this competition bringing together the eight best African teams, the Atlas Lions futsal side will be playing on home soil to defend their title, having previously reigned supreme in Africa in 2016, 2020 and 2024.
Following on from a successful 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, characterised by modern facilities and strong spectator turnout, this new tournament confirms Morocco’s organisational excellence and its undisputed leadership within the African football landscape.
