The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) will have its hearing before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on October 8 to contest the loss of its 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title. This announcement was made by CAS on August 26, 2026, as the Lions of Teranga prepare for their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign.
The procedure, registered on March 25, pits the FSF against the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF). It specifically concerns the final of the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, played on January 18 in Rabat. Senegal had won the match 1-0 in extra time thanks to a goal by Pape Gueye, before CAF overturned that result in March to award a 3-0 victory and the title to Morocco. This decision followed incidents at the end of normal time, when many Senegalese players walked off the pitch to protest the award of a penalty to Morocco, causing a stoppage of almost 20 minutes and an attempted pitch invasion by some supporters.
The FSF is asking CAS to completely set aside CAF's decision. The Senegalese body wants the tribunal to declare the FSF the legitimate winner of AFCON 2025. The hearing will take place behind closed doors at CAS headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. In a statement, CAS confirmed: "CAS confirms a hearing has been scheduled for the procedure between the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) against the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) concerning the final of the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 (AFCON 2025)." The court added, however, that it could not state when a final decision would be rendered, noting it would not be on the day of the hearing itself.
This legal battle comes during a mixed period on the pitch for the Lions of Teranga. In their 2026 World Cup qualifying phase, Senegal currently sits 3rd in their group, with 3 points from three games (one win, two losses). Their last outing, on July 1, 2026, ended in a 3-2 defeat to Belgium. The team's recent form, with just one win in their last five matches (LLWLL), highlights the challenges ahead. Their qualifying attacking and defensive record shows 8 goals scored and 6 conceded, for a +2 goal difference.
The stakes go beyond the trophy itself. A ruling in Senegal's favor would officially reinstate the 2025 continental title in the record books and erase the forfeit sanction. It would also impact the squad's morale and preparation for upcoming challenges, notably the next World Cup 2026 qualifying matches. The uncertainty hanging over this case for months could finally be resolved.
Once the October 8 hearing is concluded, the CAS arbitration panel will begin its deliberations. The complexity of the case, which mixes interpretation of regulations, chronology of events, and severity of incidents, suggests a considerable deliberation period. In the meantime, the national team must refocus on its qualifying campaign. The schedule of upcoming matches is available in our fixtures section. The resolution of this dispute, whatever the outcome, will allow Senegal to turn the page on this episode and fully focus on the global objective, with the hope of improving a recent form that has seen the team lose its last two matches.
