AFCON 2025 Final: CAS to deliver ruling on Morocco-Senegal title by late November

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) announced on Monday, October 19, 2026, that it will deliver its ruling by "late November" regarding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal. Nine months after the final whistle, the name of the reigning African champion still rests on a tribunal based in Switzerland.

A match won on the pitch, lost by default

The final was played on January 18, 2026. Senegal won 1-0 after extra time, recalls Pulse Sénégal. At the end of regulation time, Senegalese players had left the pitch to protest a penalty awarded to Morocco; play eventually resumed and the Lions brought the match to a close.

On March 17, 2026, in Cairo, the CAF Appeals Board overturned everything. Acting on an appeal by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), it ruled that the departure of the Senegalese players violated Article 82 of the AFCON regulations, declared Senegal to have forfeited under Article 84, and ratified a 3-0 scoreline in favor of Morocco, reports Medias24. The same board reduced player Ismaël Saibari's suspension to two matches, including one suspended, canceled a $100,000 fine against him, reduced the fine imposed on the FRMF for the ball-boys incident to $50,000, and confirmed a $100,000 fine for interference in the video assistant refereeing review area.

The Senegalese federation demands annulment

The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) brought the case before CAS, challenging CAF and the FRMF. It is seeking the annulment of the continental decision and the recognition of Senegal as the tournament winner, according to Pulse Sénégal. Meanwhile, the FRMF maintains that its appeal aimed to enforce regulations rather than undermine the teams' sporting performances, reports the APA agency.

The hearing took place behind closed doors on October 8, 2026, at CAS headquarters in Lausanne. The tribunal has since begun its deliberations and warns that drafting a reasoned ruling takes several weeks. Following the circulation of a fake press release announcing a Senegal victory, it reiterated that "only information released through its official channels is authentic."

What is really at stake

Beyond a trophy, it is the credibility of the continent's flagship competition that awaits this verdict. Two African federations, one African confederation, and an African title: the matter is being settled before a European court due to the lack of a continental body whose decision was accepted by both sides. The answer will come before the end of November 2026.