AFCON 2025 Chaos: FIFA rejects calls to ban Senegal from 2026 World Cup

AFCON 2025 Chaos: FIFA rejects calls to ban Senegal from 2026 World Cup

World football governing body FIFA has distanced itself from calls to ban AFCON 2025 winners Senegal from the 2026 FIFA World Cup following unrest at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 final in Morocco.

Reports had suggested that some football authorities in Africa were considering further sanctions against the Teranga Lions over their unruly conduct during the AFCON 2025 final against host nation Morocco in Rabat.

Read Also: CAF sanctions Senegal, Morocco over AFCON 2025 final chaos

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has already imposed disciplinary and financial sanctions on both Senegal and Morocco after chaotic scenes during and after the final.

Senegal’s 1–0 extra-time victory was overshadowed by protests, pitch-side confrontations and crowd disorder, sparked by a controversial Video Assistant Referee (VAR) decision late in the match.

The incident drew widespread criticism across African football and triggered calls for harsher punishment. Moroccan lawyer Adil Mouline publicly urged authorities to strip Senegal of its AFCON title and exclude it from the 2026 World Cup.

Writing on X, Mouline said: “In this context, the ONLY sanction that can fulfil the overarching goals of justice and deterrence is the formal disqualification of the Senegal national team from the AFCON 2025 final… and the suspension of the Senegal national team from the FIFA World Cup 2026.”

However, according to French outlet L’Équipe, FIFA is opposed to the idea of a World Cup ban and is not believed to be seriously considering excluding Senegal from the global tournament.

The disciplinary debate comes as preparations continue for the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico and expanded to 48 teams for the first time.

Head of Sports at BusinessDay Media, a seasoned Digital Content Producer, and FIFA/CAF Accredited Journalist with over a decade of sports reporting.Has a deep understanding of the Nigerian and global sports landscape and skills in delivering comprehensive and insightful sports content.

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