The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially stripped Senegal of its 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title. The decision, announced on March 17, 2026, follows an investigation into eligibility rules violations concerning several players during the tournament.
CAF's disciplinary board found that Senegal fielded ineligible players, constituting a breach of competition regulations. The continental governing body stated the ruling was based on "clear evidence" of regulatory infractions, though specific details of the violations were not fully disclosed in the public statement.
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has announced it will appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). FSF president Augustin Senghor condemned the ruling as "unjust and unacceptable," arguing the federation was not given sufficient opportunity to present its full defense during the disciplinary process.
As a result of the disqualification, the 2025 AFCON title is now vacant. CAF has not yet announced whether the runner-up will be awarded the championship or if the title will remain unassigned. The decision marks a significant setback for Senegalese football, which celebrated the historic victory just over a year ago.
