The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has confirmed that the hearing for the ongoing AFCON 2025 title dispute between Senegal and Morocco will be held on October 8, 2026, at its headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) filed the appeal following a ruling by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeals Board on March 17, 2026. That decision stripped Senegal of the Africa Cup of Nations title they had won 1-0 after extra time on January 18, 2026, awarding Morocco a 3-0 forfeit victory instead. CAF took that action after Senegal's players staged a temporary walk-off protest during the final.

What the FSF is asking CAS to decide

The FSF is requesting that CAS overturn the CAF ruling entirely and formally restore Senegal as Africa Cup of Nations 2025 champions. In a statement released on Friday, CAS confirmed the appeal's scope, saying: "The FSF appeal seeks to set aside a CAF decision declaring that the Senegal national team forfeited the AFCON 2025 final and recording the Moroccan national team as the winners of the match by 3-0. The appeal requests that CAS declare the FSF winners of AFCON 2025."

Closed doors and a standard timeline

The October 8 hearing will take place behind closed doors. CAS explained that neither party requested a public session, and both sides also declined to expedite the proceedings. As a result, the case will run on a standard CAS procedural timeline.

The court also issued a caution against expecting a swift resolution. Complex sporting disputes of this nature can take several months to conclude after a hearing. CAS confirmed its panel will begin deliberations following the session, adding: "At this stage, CAS cannot state when a final decision will be rendered, but it will not be on the day of the hearing."

For both Senegal and Morocco, the stakes could not be higher — with official continental bragging rights, legacy, and the historical record of Africa's premier football tournament all hanging in the balance.