CAIRO, Egypt — 18 March 2026 — The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has stripped Senegal of its Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and declared Morocco the new champions, following what officials described as a “serious regulatory breach” discovered during a post‑tournament eligibility review.
In a statement released late Monday, CAF said an internal investigation found that Senegal had fielded an ineligible player during the knockout stages of the competition. The governing body did not immediately disclose the player’s identity, citing ongoing disciplinary procedures, but said the violation constituted a “clear breach of tournament rules.”
The decision marks one of the most dramatic reversals in AFCON history and has triggered strong reactions across the continent.
CAF’s disciplinary committee said the ruling followed “weeks of evidence‑gathering, documentation checks, and consultations with independent regulatory experts.” According to officials, Morocco — the runners‑up — were awarded the title in accordance with competition regulations that outline procedures for matches or results affected by eligibility violations.
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) said it was “shocked and deeply disappointed” by the ruling and announced it would file an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). In a brief statement, the FSF insisted that all players registered for the tournament met CAF’s eligibility requirements and accused the governing body of acting “without transparency.”
Morocco’s football federation welcomed the decision but said it “respects Senegal as a strong competitor” and acknowledged that the situation was “unfortunate for African football.” Moroccan officials added that they would await the conclusion of any appeal process before holding a formal celebration.
Analysts say the ruling could have far‑reaching implications for future CAF competitions, particularly regarding documentation standards and verification procedures. Several former players and commentators have urged CAF to publish a detailed report to maintain public trust.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe said the organisation would release additional information “in due course” and emphasised that the decision was made “to protect the integrity of African football.”
The controversy has sparked intense debate among supporters, with many calling for greater transparency in how eligibility checks are conducted before and during major tournaments.
Senegal’s appeal is expected to be lodged within the next 10 days, after which CAS will determine whether to uphold or overturn CAF’s ruling.