Morocco Awarded 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Title Following Senegal Walk-Off

Morocco Crowned Champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations

According to Главком: The Moroccan national team has been declared the winner of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) following an appeal concerning the conduct of the Senegalese team, which left the pitch of its own accord near the end of regular time in the final match. The decision to award the title was made by the Appeal Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF). According to the committee's ruling, the Senegalese team has been deemed to have lost the final match 3-0 in favor of Morocco.

This victory marks Morocco's second AFCON title. The nation's first triumph came in 1976 under the leadership of Romanian coach Virgil Mărdărescu. It is also notable that Morocco lost the 2004 AFCON final to Tunisia with a score of 1-2.

Coaching Changes and the Team's Future

Following the tournament's conclusion, the Moroccan national team has undergone a change in head coach. Walid Regragui has resigned, and Mohamed Ouahbi has been appointed as the new head coach. Ouahbi achieved success in 2023 by leading the Moroccan U-20 team to a World Cup victory, defeating Argentina 2-0 in the final. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has also offered Andrés Iniesta the position of technical director for the national team, while Xavi Hernández is a candidate to become the team's head coach.

In accordance with Article 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations, the national team of Senegal is declared to have lost the final match of AFCON Morocco 2025 with a score of 3-0 in favor of Morocco.

CAF Appeal Board

This incident represents a significant event in African football history, impacting the future development of the Moroccan squad ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Morocco's AFCON victory underscores the team's growing potential on the international stage, particularly in the lead-up to major competitions like the 2026 World Cup. The coaching changes could positively influence the team's development, as new coach Mohamed Ouahbi has a proven track record of success with youth teams. The potential appointments of high-profile figures like Andrés Iniesta and Xavi Hernández signal the Federation's ambitions to elevate the national team's technical level.

As Morocco celebrates its AFCON victory, the focus now shifts to the future of the national team. The potential appointment of Xavi and Iniesta as coaching legends could play a pivotal role in shaping the squad's development ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Their experience and tactical acumen may enhance Morocco's performance on the global stage.