2025 AFCON Final: Senegal or Morocco, who will be crowned African champions?

The Court of Arbitration for Sport is examining Senegal’s appeal regarding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final this Thursday, 8 October, in Lausanne.

The legal battle for the 2025 African Championship title is entering a decisive phase. On 18 January 2026 in Rabat, Senegal beat Morocco 1–0 in a controversial final. Morocco subsequently appealed to the Confederation of African Football to have the title stripped from Senegal.

A month after the Lions of Teranga were crowned champions, the CAF Appeals Committee took everyone by surprise by stripping Senegal of the title and awarding it to Morocco. This decision sparked fierce controversy, both in Africa and elsewhere.

Senegal had not given up the fight. The Senegalese Football Federation lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport to challenge the CAF’s decision. Several months later, the hearing is set to begin at its headquarters in Switzerland. However, the verdict will not be handed down immediately.

The case is being closely followed and the CAS’s decision is eagerly awaited across the continent. It could change the competition’s record books.