CAS to stage pivotal October hearing in disputed 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title case

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) will hold a closed-door hearing on 8 October in a decisive step towards resolving the legal battle over the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title between Morocco and Senegal.

The Lausanne-based tribunal has scheduled the session to examine the dispute surrounding which nation should be officially recognised as African champions for 2025, after the initial decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) was challenged.

During the hearing, arbitrators will listen to arguments and review all evidence submitted by the parties involved before making a ruling in what has become one of the most significant legal cases in recent African football history.

Morocco’s title at stake, Senegal seek reversal

The outcome of the CAS proceedings carries major sporting and symbolic implications for both countries.

CAS will ultimately have to choose between two clear options: either uphold Morocco’s victory and confirm its status as 2025 Africa Cup of Nations winners, or overturn CAF’s original decision and formally award the continental title to Senegal.

For Morocco, the case is about validating the title already attributed to them and maintaining their position as champions as determined by CAF.

For Senegal, the challenge represents a final attempt to have that decision annulled and to be officially recognised as the rightful holders of the 2025 crown.

Hearing only the first step towards final verdict

Although 8 October marks a crucial juncture in the case, it will not bring immediate resolution.

CAS has made clear that this date is reserved solely for the presentation of arguments and the examination of the case by the panel of arbitrators. The session will be held behind closed doors, as is standard for many such proceedings.

No verdict will be delivered at the conclusion of the hearing. Instead, the arbitrators will retire to deliberate after considering the submissions from all sides.

The final decision will be communicated at a later stage, on a date yet to be announced by CAS, once the panel has completed its analysis of the file and reached a conclusion on the contentious 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title.