Senegal defies CAF: AFCON 2025 celebration set for Paris

Senegal will celebrate its 2025 Africa Cup of Nations victory in Paris, reaffirming the players’ claim to the title even after CAF officially awarded it to Morocco.

The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) announced that a celebration will take place on Saturday, March 28, at the Stade de France, coinciding with Senegal’s friendly against Peru.

The event is expected to draw close to 80,000 spectators and will feature music, entertainment, and the presentation of the AFCON trophy.

French rapper Booba and Senegalese music legend Youssou N’Dour are among the artists scheduled to perform.

Key players from the national team, including Kalidou Koulibaly, Habib Diarra, and Pape Gueye, urged supporters to attend, stressing the importance of celebrating what they consider a victory earned on the field.

“Champions on the pitch,” they declared, highlighting that the team’s performance remains the true measure of success.

Several international stars, including Pathé Ciss and Idrissa Gueye, reiterated their attachment to the title, emphasizing that official decisions cannot erase the team’s achievement.

Je crois que l’on va encore fêter. C’est absolument délicieux ⭐️⭐️ pic.twitter.com/vdXqQYIO0W

— Equipe du Sénégal (@GaindeYi) March 21, 2026

Idrissa Gueye added that players might symbolically return medals if it helps ease tensions, but the celebration will go ahead regardless.

The FSF’s decision sends a pointed message to CAF. By publicly defending their version of events and holding a trophy presentation, Senegal asserts its claim to the championship before the world.

The outcome of the ongoing appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) could still affect official recognition, but for now, the Lions of Teranga are determined to celebrate their AFCON 2025 victory in style.

This event underscores Senegal’s defiance and unity amid one of African football’s most controversial decisions in recent years.