Senegal's bid to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has been overshadowed by controversy involving French rapper Booba. The artist, whose real name is Γlie Yaffa, was reportedly involved in promotional activities for the bid, which sparked significant public and political backlash in Senegal.
Critics argued that Booba, who has been a vocal critic of the Senegalese government and has faced legal issues, was an inappropriate ambassador for the national project. The controversy intensified on social media, with many citizens and political figures expressing disapproval of his association with the bid.
The situation created an unexpected public relations challenge for the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) and the bid committee. They were forced to address the public outcry, which diverted attention from the technical and infrastructural merits of Senegal's hosting proposal.
As of March 2026, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has not announced the host for the 2025 AFCON, which was originally scheduled for Morocco. The bid process remains ongoing, with the controversy serving as a notable incident in Senegal's campaign.
