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 a ruling that Senegal fielded an ineligible player during the tournament's final against Morocco.
CAF's disciplinary board declared Senegal a 3-0 forfeit loss for the final, which they had originally won 1-0 after extra time. This overturns the on-field result and awards the championship to Morocco. The governing body cited a breach of player eligibility regulations but has not publicly named the specific player or violation.
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has strongly condemned the decision, calling it "unjust" and "disproportionate." Federation president Augustin Senghor stated they have immediately lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to overturn the sanction and reclaim the trophy.
This marks a dramatic reversal for Senegal, which celebrated its second continental title in January 2025. The appeal process at CAS is expected to take several months, leaving the official status of the 2025 champion in limbo.
