It's going to be a long wait for Senegal fans as they prepare for a potentially defining moment in their team's history – a hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on 8 October 2026. The West African nation is fighting tooth and nail for reinstatement as champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, after being stripped of the title by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Senegal's appeal was lodged back in March, following a dramatic and contentious AFCON final against Morocco.
The drama unfolded on that January night like a script from a Hollywood blockbuster – with Morocco awarded a stoppage-time penalty, followed by 17 minutes of chaos as the Senegalese players refused to return to the pitch. The controversy that ensued saw CAF awarding Morocco a 3-0 win and the tournament title, but not before Pape Gueye snatched an extra-time winner for Senegal.
The fallout has been immense, with African football circles abuzz with debate over CAF's decision to strip Senegal of their hard-won title. The matter is now in the hands of CAS, where both CAF and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) are refusing to expedite proceedings – meaning the standard timeline applies.
Behind closed doors at the CAS headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, the hearing will take place without any media scrutiny. A final decision won't be made on the day of the hearing itself, so Senegal's supporters will have to wait a little longer for closure. The implications of this dispute go far beyond the outcome – it has significant repercussions for African football governance and future tournament conduct.