AFCON 2025 Final Dispute Between Senegal and Morocco Drags On as CAS Delays Verdict
The protracted disagreement over the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final between the Senegal national football team and the Morocco national football team is likely to drag on for months, with proceedings at the Court of Arbitration for Sport still ongoing.
Legal experts in sports say the arbitration could last between nine and twelve months. Without a fast-tracked process, a final decision may only arrive after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, prolonging uncertainty over who should officially be crowned champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The delay is largely due to the complicated nature of the case, as CAS judges aim to carry out a detailed review and deliver a solid legal ruling. It is understood that Morocco has chosen the standard arbitration route instead of an expedited hearing, a decision seen as a way to strengthen its legal arguments.
This has led to a rare situation in African football. While officials have provisionally acknowledged Morocco as winners, the trophy is reportedly still in Dakar and linked to Senegal. The unusual arrangement has continued to stir debate and confusion among supporters and stakeholders across the continent.
Until CAS reaches a final verdict, the dispute over the AFCON final will remain unresolved, leaving the competition’s official outcome uncertain.
