Senegal’s AFCON Final Appeal To Be Heard by CAS in October

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has fixed October 8, 2026, as the date it will hear Senegal’s appeal over the controversial outcome of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.

The hearing will take place at the sports arbitration body’s headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, where representatives of the Senegalese Football Federation, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation are expected to present their arguments before an independent panel.

Senegal is seeking to overturn CAF’s earlier ruling that awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory after determining that the Teranga Lions forfeited the final.

The West African nation is asking CAS to reverse that decision and officially recognize Senegal as the winner of the continental tournament.

According to CAS, the appeal was lodged in March 2026 and will proceed under its normal timetable after the parties involved did not agree to an accelerated hearing process.

As a result, the case has followed the court’s standard arbitration procedures leading up to the October session.

The proceedings will not be open to the public because none of the parties requested a public hearing. CAS explained that the arbitration panel will carefully examine submissions and evidence from all sides before reaching a verdict.

The court also noted that no final ruling will be delivered immediately after the hearing. Instead, the panel will begin its deliberations once the presentations conclude, with a written decision expected at a later date.

In addition, CAS urged the public to rely only on official statements released through its communication channels, warning against speculation and misinformation surrounding the high-profile dispute.

The outcome of the appeal could have significant implications for African football, as it will determine whether CAF’s original decision stands or if the result of the 2025 AFCON final is altered following legal review.