The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially awarded the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title to Morocco after the original finalist, Senegal, was disqualified for fielding an ineligible player. The decision was confirmed by CAF's disciplinary board on March 17, 2026.
In response, the Senegalese Football Federation has announced it will file an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne. Federation officials stated they will not relinquish the physical trophy pending the outcome of the legal process.
The appeal process at CAS is expected to take several months, leaving the final status of the championship uncertain. The original final, which Senegal won 2-1, was nullified by the disqualification ruling.
CAF has not commented on the potential appeal but maintains its ruling is based on a clear violation of tournament regulations. The situation creates an unprecedented delay in confirming the continental champion.
