CAS hearing date set for contentious 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has scheduled a closed-door hearing for 1 October 2026 in Lausanne to examine Senegal’s appeal over the controversial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, in which the title was later awarded to Morocco by CAF.

Senegal had initially been crowned 2025 AFCON champions in Morocco after beating the hosts in the final, before the Confederation of African Football (CAF) overturned the result. CAF stripped Senegal of the title, ruled that Senegal had lost the final by withdrawal and awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory, imposing heavy sanctions on both national teams.

The dispute has now reached CAS, which confirmed in an official statement that a hearing will be held at its headquarters in the Swiss city. CAS underlined that no verdict will be issued on the same day as the hearing and that deliberations will begin only after the session concludes.

Senegal seek reinstatement as champions

The Senegalese Football Federation lodged its appeal with CAS on 25 March 2026, challenging the CAF decision that recorded a 3-0 win for Morocco and declared Senegal to have forfeited the 2025 final.

In its filing, Senegal is asking CAS to annul CAF’s ruling and to declare the Senegal national team the winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

CAS explained that the two sides – the Senegalese Football Federation on one hand, and CAF together with the Moroccan federation on the other – did not agree to use expedited procedures. As a result, the case is proceeding under the court’s standard timetable.

The date of the hearing was fixed after consultation with all parties. Neither side requested a public session, meaning the proceedings will be held behind closed doors.

No timetable yet for final ruling

CAS stressed that, after the hearing on 1 October 2026, the appointed arbitration panel will begin its internal deliberations. At this stage, the court says it cannot predict when a final decision will be issued, beyond confirming that no ruling will be handed down on the day of the hearing itself.

The court also noted it had become aware of “incorrect information” circulating in the media regarding the case and its procedures. CAS underlined that only information released through its official channels should be treated as authoritative.

However, CAS added that no announcements specific to this case will be published on its website. Instead, accredited journalists have been advised to direct any questions to the CAS media office.

CAF awaits Lausanne verdict

CAF president Patrice Motsepe has previously made clear that the African governing body is awaiting the outcome from CAS before making any further moves over the 2025 title.

“We are waiting for the final decision from the Court of Arbitration for Sport regarding the winner of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations between Morocco and Senegal,” Motsepe said at a press conference.

He added: “It is not in our hands to do anything, we are waiting for the decisions and we will apply them to everyone.”

Following CAF’s decision to strip Senegal of the trophy, the Senegalese Football Federation submitted its formal complaint to CAS, setting in motion the legal process that will ultimately determine whether Morocco keep the title or Senegal are reinstated as champions of Africa for 2025.