The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) held a hearing on Thursday, October 8, 2026, to discuss the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final. Morocco and Senegal, the two countries involved in the dispute, attended the hearing. The session, which was scheduled to last until 3 pm, ended a few minutes early. The hearing was closed to the public, and the parties involved were required to maintain confidentiality regarding the discussions.
According to reports from Senegal, their delegation expressed confidence after the hearing. The Senegalese Football Federation's General Secretary, Abdoulaye Sidou, briefed the press, stating that their lawyers presented their arguments and observations. Sidou emphasized that Senegal defended its position strongly, but he could not disclose the details of the discussions due to confidentiality.
In contrast, the Moroccan delegation remained silent, with no representatives speaking to the media after the hearing. This silence is seen as a strategic move, possibly to avoid making any statements that could harm their position. The Moroccan team's decision to keep a low profile is in line with the procedural rules of the CAS, which require parties to refrain from disclosing information about the deliberations.
The dispute between Morocco and Senegal concerns the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final. The two countries have been at odds over the hosting rights, with Morocco initially being awarded the hosting rights but Senegal claiming that it was unfairly denied the opportunity. The CAS hearing was a crucial step in resolving the dispute.
The hearing featured representatives from Senegal, Morocco, and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), each accompanied by a team of lawyers. The parties involved will now await the CAS's decision, which is expected to be made as soon as possible. The CAS Director General, Matthieu Reeb, stated that a decision would be reached after the deliberations, but no specific timeline was provided.
The outcome of the hearing and the eventual decision by the CAS will have significant implications for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Both Morocco and Senegal are eager to host the prestigious tournament, and the CAS's ruling will determine which country will ultimately be awarded the hosting rights.
The CAS's decision is expected to be made in the coming days or weeks. Once the decision is announced, it will bring clarity to the situation and allow the successful bidder to begin preparations for the tournament. The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is a highly anticipated event, and the hosting rights have become a matter of great importance for both Morocco and Senegal.
Key points
- The CAS hearing was a crucial step in resolving the dispute between Morocco and Senegal over the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final hosting rights.
