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Senegal vs Morocco: team news, start time and line-ups

Abdul Karim January 18, 2026
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Senegal vs Morocco: team news, start time and line-ups

The AFCON 2025 winner will be crowned today as Senegal takes on host nation Morocco in the highly anticipated final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

The match kicks off at 7:00 PM GMT (8:00 PM local time), with both top-ranked teams vying for their second continental title.

Team News

Senegal faces key absences due to suspension, with captain and defensive stalwart Kalidou Koulibaly and midfielder Habib Diarra both ruled out after accumulating yellow cards. Koulibaly was also withdrawn with a groin injury in the semi-final against Egypt, adding to the defensive concerns.

Morocco comes into the final without new injury concerns but remains without long-term absentees Romain Saiss (muscle injury) and Azzedine Ounahi (calf injury). Coach Walid Regragui has a full-strength squad otherwise, and will need to manage the pressure of the home crowd. 

Predicted Line-ups

Official line-ups are expected shortly before kick-off, but the following are the likely starting XIs:

Senegal (4-3-3)

Morocco (4-1-4-1)

Goalkeeper: Mendy

Goalkeeper: Bono

Defenders: Diatta, M. Sarr, Niakhaté, E. H. M. Diouf

Defenders: Hakimi, Aguerd, Masina, Mazraoui

Midfielders: I. Gueye, Camara, P. Gueye

Midfielders: El Aynaoui, El Khannouss, Saibari, Diaz, Ezzalzouli

Forwards: Ndiaye, Jackson, Mane

Forward: El Kaabi

Match Information

The final is a historic first-ever AFCON meeting between the two nations and promises to be a battle of Africa’s heavyweights. 

Date: Sunday, January 18, 2026

Kick-off Time (GMT): Kick-Off Times Around the World

Location

Time Zone

Kick-off Time

Morocco (Host)

GMT+1

8:00 PM (Tonight)

United Kingdom (London)

GMT

7:00 PM

Ghana (Accra)

GMT

7:00 PM

South Africa (Cape Town)

SAST (GMT+2)

9:00 PM

Nigeria (Lagos)

WAT (GMT+1)

8:00 PM

Egypt (Cairo)

EET (GMT+2)

9:00 PM

United States (East Coast)

EST (GMT-5)

2:00 PM

United States (West Coast)

PST (GMT-8)

11:00 AM

Canada (Toronto)

EST (GMT-5)

2:00 PM

Australia (Sydney)

AEDT (GMT+11)

6:00 AM (Monday)

India (Mumbai)

IST (GMT+5:30)

12:30 AM (Monday)

UAE (Dubai)

GST (GMT+4)

11:00 PM

Venue: Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, Morocco

How to Watch: The match is free-to-air on Channel 4 in the UK and on beIN SPORTS in the US, with live streams available on services like Fubo. 

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