Morocco crowned AFCON champions after CAF overturns final result
It’s official—and incredibly dramatic. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeal Board has indeed declared Morocco the winners of the 2025 AFCON, stripping Senegal of the title today, March 17, 2026.
This decision overturns the actual result on the pitch from the final held in January, where Senegal originally won 1–0 in extra time.
Late in normal time, with the score at 0–0, Morocco was awarded a controversial penalty. In protest, the Senegalese players walked off the pitch for approximately 15–20 minutes.
Senegal eventually returned to the field, Brahim Diaz missed the penalty, and Senegal went on to score and “win” the match in extra time.
The Ruling: CAF’s Appeal Board ruled that by leaving the field without the referee’s permission, Senegal technically forfeited the match. Under tournament regulations (specifically Articles 82 and 84), a forfeit results in an automatic 3–0 victory for the opposing team
