Senegal's government has formally called for an independent international investigation into alleged corruption following the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) decision to award the hosting rights for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to Morocco. The Senegalese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement expressing "deep concern" over the process.
The controversy stems from CAF's Executive Committee meeting on September 27, 2023, where Morocco was selected as the sole candidate to host the tournament after original hosts Guinea were stripped of the rights due to infrastructure delays. Algeria and a joint bid from Nigeria and Benin had also expressed interest but withdrew, leaving Morocco as the only formal bidder.
Senegal's statement, released on April 17, 2026, alleges irregularities and a lack of transparency in the bidding procedure. It urges FIFA and other international bodies to oversee a probe to ensure the integrity of African football governance. CAF has not yet issued a public response to these specific allegations.
This development marks a significant diplomatic escalation in a dispute that has simmered since the hosting decision was made. It casts a shadow over the preparations for the 2025 tournament, which was already rescheduled from its original 2023 summer date to a winter slot to avoid extreme heat.
