Who ultimately won the african cup of nations 2025-2026?

Latest update: who will lift the African Cup of Nations trophy?

⚠️ As of March 29, the African football landscape remains in turmoil following the highly publicized Morocco vs Senegal final of the 2025 African Cup of Nations. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne has issued a provisional suspension on the title awarded to Morocco by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), pending a final ruling. This unprecedented legal dispute has prompted the CAF to announce sweeping reforms aimed at restoring trust in African football governance.

The reforms, spearheaded by CAF President Patrice Motsepe, focus on eliminating corruption, ensuring the independence of disciplinary bodies, and enhancing transparency in VAR operations. These changes are designed to safeguard the integrity of African football ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where African nations will compete for global glory.

Key developments in the Morocco vs Senegal dispute

March 23: The CAS has temporarily suspended the awarding of the 2025 CAN title to Morocco after Senegal lodged an appeal. The provisional measure means the trophy remains unclaimed, and the final outcome is still uncertain.

March 17: The CAF announced Morocco as the official winner of the 2025 African Cup of Nations, declaring Senegal forfeited and awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory. This decision was made under Article 84 of the CAF Regulations, citing Senegal’s abandonment of the match.

The CAF Appeal Jury outlined the following key decisions:

• Morocco’s appeal was deemed valid and accepted.
• The CAF Disciplinary Jury’s decision was overturned.
• Senegal was found in violation of Articles 82 and 84 of the CAN Regulations.
• The match result was officially recorded as a 3-0 victory for Morocco.
• Sadio Mané, Morocco’s forward, received a reduced suspension of two matches, with one suspended.
• Senegal’s appeals regarding player and staff sanctions were rejected.

What happens next? Timelines and expectations

The CAS process is complex and time-consuming, with several critical stages ahead:

1. Standard procedure: 6 to 12 months

The typical CAS appeal timeline includes:

• Written submissions and evidence exchange: 6 to 9 months.
• Hearing and deliberation: up to 3 additional months.
• Final verdict expected no earlier than late 2026 or early 2027.

Given the high stakes, it is unlikely that an expedited process will be agreed upon by all parties, despite the possibility of shortening the timeline to a few months.

2. Consequences of the provisional suspension

The CAS ruling means:

• Morocco cannot be officially recognized as the 2025 CAN winner in official records.
• The $10 million prize money and the physical trophy remain in legal limbo.
• The 2025 African Cup of Nations title is officially vacant until the final judgment.

The dispute centers on two conflicting interpretations:

• Senegal’s argument: The match resumed and concluded on the field with a 1-0 victory.
• Morocco’s argument: Senegal’s temporary walk-off constituted a forfeiture, justifying a 3-0 victory on the scoreboard.

The CAS will review the case de novo, meaning it will reassess all evidence and arguments independently. Its decision will be final and binding, leaving no room for further appeals.

Why is the CAS decision so critical for African football?

This case is unprecedented in African football history, raising questions about:

• Match integrity: Did Senegal’s actions violate the spirit of fair play?
• Regulatory compliance: Was Morocco’s 3-0 victory justified under the CAF Regulations?
• Fair competition: How will this decision impact future CAN tournaments and African football’s global reputation?

The CAS ruling will set a precedent for how similar disputes are handled, influencing the governance and credibility of African football for years to come.

Follow the African Cup of Nations 2025-2026 on Radio Sports

Stay updated with the latest news, match schedules, and results from the 2025 African Cup of Nations, hosted in Morocco. From group stages to the final, get real-time updates, expert analysis, and in-depth coverage of every moment of this thrilling tournament.

👉 View match scores

👉 CAN 2027 updates

Qualified teams for CAN 2025-2026

The tournament features 24 nations across Africa:

• North Africa: Morocco (host), Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia
• West Africa: Senegal, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria, Benin, Equatorial Guinea
• Central Africa: Cameroon, DR Congo, Gabon
• Southern Africa: South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique
• East Africa: Uganda, Tanzania, Comoros
• Central & East Africa: Angola, Botswana, Sudan

The knockout stages are underway, with the most anticipated matches featuring Algeria vs DR Congo and Ivory Coast vs Burkina Faso.

Final verdict: who won the African Cup of Nations 2025-2026?

As of now, the title remains officially undecided. The CAS is expected to deliver a final ruling in late 2026 or early 2027, leaving the football world in suspense. Follow Radio Sports for the latest updates and expert analysis on this evolving story.