Saudi FA president rekindles AFCON controversy with Senegal ‘champions’ remark

Saudi Arabian Football Federation president Yasser Al-Mishal has sparked fresh controversy after referring to Senegal as the reigning African champions despite the Confederation of African Football officially awarding the last Africa Cup of Nations title to Morocco.

The debate resurfaced during Al-Mishal’s comments about Saudi Arabia’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Speaking about the national team’s upcoming friendly schedule in the United States, the federation chief revealed that Saudi Arabia will face Ecuador on May 30 in New York before taking on “the Senegalese national team, the African champions” on June 9 in Houston.

His statement immediately generated reactions across African football circles, as it appeared to overlook CAF’s official ruling issued earlier this year regarding the AFCON title.

Last March, CAF announced that Senegal had forfeited the Africa Cup of Nations final and were officially considered to have lost the match by a 3-0 scoreline following their withdrawal. The continental governing body subsequently confirmed Morocco as the official champions of the competition.

Although the Senegalese Football Federation later appealed the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, no new verdict has overturned CAF’s decision, meaning Morocco remain the recognised holders of the AFCON title.

Al-Mishal’s comments have since reignited discussions about the importance of respecting official decisions issued by continental football authorities, particularly when such remarks come from senior figures within the international football system.

The controversy has also intensified debate over the sensitivity surrounding the AFCON title decision, which continues to divide opinion among football supporters and administrators across the continent.